Obviously, this amount of traffic increase hits broadband service providers and ITSPs like Broadvox first. However, wireless providers seeking to support the increase in video demand will find that base station connections will need to dramatically increase as well. Overall network capacity must grow at a rate higher than earlier thought to support ambient video. The threat of ambient video to business VoIP is clear. The amount of bandwidth required to support SIP is usually between 88kbps and 100kbps with a G.711 codec. This bandwidth is required on top of the demands for other uses of the business LAN or Internet connection. If employees find themselves lured to ambient video sites, then that will threaten voice quality, concurrent call capacity, new sales, and customer support bringing on a commercial Armageddon.
Don’t laugh just yet. IT managers do their best to block sites that provide streaming services when they interfere with priority business traffic. For example, our IT department has blocked Pandora, a streaming Internet radio service, although, we still have access to YouTube. Streaming applications make sizing broadband requirements for a business very difficult, especially when the applications are used intermittently.
An ambient video enthusiast, Jim Bizzocchi describes it this way, “Ambient video art is an emergent form, simple to describe, but difficult to achieve. Ambient video works are designed to play in the background of our lives, yet they must be ready to reward our attention in any given moment. Like Brian Eno's ambient music, they "must be as easy to ignore as notice". However, whenever they are noticed, they must always yield visual pleasure. In this capacity, they must be equally proficient at rewarding a fleeting glance, a more direct look, or a longer contemplative gaze.”
Certainly a threat to business productivity everywhere and without simple resolution.
Hmmm, I think I’ll go gaze at the beaches of Kaanapali in Hawaii.
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