BT Group has recently introduced a groundbreaking technology, Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD), designed to deliver live content over the internet. This innovative technology is set to revolutionize the way broadcasters, including the BBC, deliver a variety of live content.
Unlike traditional unicast streaming, MAUD employs multicast technology to consolidate single streams into a shared stream. This unique approach offers significant advantages over regular multicast technology as it seamlessly integrates with player applications. As such, content service providers can leverage this advanced technology without having to modify their customer apps.
Howard Watson, Chief Security and Networks Officer at BT Group said:
“MAUD is a major breakthrough in how we deliver content over the internet. Developed in our world leading labs at Adastral Park in Suffolk, MAUD could be a key solution to how we manage ever increasing traffic loads. By combining individual streams, MAUD delivers a more reliable, consistent picture, no matter whether customers are watching over Wi-Fi, fibre or mobile networks.”
According to BT Group, MAUD can reduce bandwidth usage by up to 50% during peak events like Euro matches and decrease energy consumption through fewer cache uses.
New research published by BT strengthens the case for multicast. It reveals that 90% of UK viewers still consume live content - primarily news and sports - via television daily. Furthermore, more than nine in ten viewers prioritize picture quality and reliability over interactive features or reduced latency.
The development of MAUD was spearheaded by BT's Content Delivery Research team at Adastral Park in Suffolk with an aim to create an efficient solution for live streaming that caters effectively to various organizations involved in content delivery.
DAZN has already adopted multicast ABR and has had an impressive journey so far
While other Multicast ABR solutions exist from providers like Broadpeak who have delivered solutions for DAZN and Bouygues Telecom among others; what sets BT's solution apart is its minimal integration requirements making it highly suitable for OTT providers.
One major advantage offered by this new technology is eliminating the need for modifications on content player applications. Additionally, all delivery and performance reporting required by a content owner or distributor from their CDN provider remains intact ensuring seamless operations. Previous deployments involving similar capabilities often required extensive work on adapting player applications which is not the case with MAUD.
Paolo Pescatore, Founder at PP Foresight, said:
“Whether it’s the Euros or Eurovision, gaming over Twitch or gigs from Glastonbury, data shows that audiences still value the live experience even in the on-demand era. With live sports and events driving peak network demand to new heights, it’s great to see innovation ensuring that high-quality, premium live content can reach the widest possible audiences across multiple types of device, and to be possible in an increasingly environmentally sustainable manner.”
BT's MAUD technology presents a promising future for live content delivery over the internet. Its ability to reduce bandwidth usage, maintain high-quality streaming, and require minimal integration changes makes it an attractive solution for broadcasters and OTT providers alike. As we move towards more digital consumption of live content, technologies like MAUD will play a pivotal role in shaping the viewer experience.
