Streaming media is changing the face of the Internet. People can now access thousands of audio and video-programming choices right from their computers or other networked devices. They can tune into live global events, virtually attend sold out concerts, listen to radio stations around the world, view training materials, or watch financial reports from anywhere they can connect to the Internet.
SA is no exception and thanks to Internet Solutions (IS), we have state of the art streaming right here and from your favourite radio station. IS is the leader in this space and its streaming solution powers most of the country`s major radio stations, including Metrofm, 5fm, Goodhope, 702, 94.7, Capetalk, Kayafm and Yfm.
"We have seen a massive increase in usage since we started streaming services back in 2002," says Greg Payne, general manager for IS Hosting, "with average station usage now at about 46 000 hours per month."
IS is also tracking the international users of radio streaming on our local stations - another audience that is rapidly increasing.
"We realised that with the low numbers of radio stations in SA - just over a 100 AM and FM stations, compared to the US with more than 10 000* - we couldn`t charge the stations a per usage fee as it simply wouldn`t make economic sense, especially as bandwidth costs are so high here. So they have unlimited listener access at a very affordable rate, thanks to a unique model built by IS developers," says Payne.
Another unique feature developed by IS is stream splitting. The streaming network handles the task of distributing the stream from the media server. This is done in such a way that the bandwidth usage over the network core is minimised, and the response time and quality of the stream to the receiver is greatly enhanced. In order to accomplish this, streaming caches are located at the edges of the network. Each time a user requests a stream, the cache closest to the user will check to see whether it is already feeding the stream to another user. If this is the case, then the cache will "split" the stream, and send another copy of the stream to the user who has just connected.
From the radio stations` perspective, streaming provides their listeners with state of the art added value, something many of them are now starting to expect. This leads to listener loyalty and retention, generates new revenue streams through advertising, and e-commerce and extends their brand through additional media.
"The stations also get valuable information through our Customer Zone, as it provides them with real-time information on their listenerships and other important demographics that they use to increase advertising revenues, change programming and schedules," concludes Payne.
(* CIA World Fact Book)
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Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model and become the only full network service provider in the country.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 10 year life span IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the virtual private network (VPN) and application service provider (ASP) space.
Internet Solutions has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, Financial Mail Best Company to Work For and a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle BT and AT&T, and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider, the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade.
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