Tata Communications has completed another successful proof of concept with Formula One Management during a recent Grand Prix. The new technology test delivered a live trackside feed from the Singapore track to Formula One Management’s technical HQ in Biggin Hill, UK, with no time lag between the live broadcast and the footage viewed on the app.
The test was intended to demonstrate how OTT technology could be used to enhance the viewer experience.
“It is very interesting to prove that, with the latest equipment and techniques, it is possible to achieve an online delivery of additional content with no delay relative to the main live programme on the screen,” said John Morrison, Formula One Management’s chief technical officer.
The live OTT video feed was delivered using Tata Communications’ global fibre network and the company’s Media Ecosystem. This converted the feed into different bit rates – while providing a real-time viewing experience – regardless of internet bandwidth or device. There was no delay in the online feed, unlike some traditional OTT services, which often result in a lag of around 25 seconds between a live event and an online feed.
This latest proof of concept follows a 2014 season test where Tata Communications became the first company to deliver a live 4K feed from a Formula One event. Here, live footage was delivered end-to-end over Tata Communications’ network to Biggin Hill. Demonstrated to a group of broadcasters, the live delivery highlighted the next generation 4K broadcast capabilities afforded by fibre-optic cable, and illustrated how the future of 4K sports broadcasting could look.
Today, over 24 per cent of the world’s internet routes travel over the Tata Communications network which provides backbone connectivity to over 240 countries and territories, including all Grand Prix locations. The company works with 20+ broadcasters to deliver F1 to fans across the globe.
