Comparing access methods and quality of 3g mobile video streaming services

Abstract

In this paper we examine the access methods and the quality of experience of current unicast video streaming services in 3G mobile networks. A packet-switched mobile video client, a packet-switched video portal and two variants of circuit-switched streaming (standard vs. short code access) are evaluated in a user study. We found that the particular access method is an influential factor in the overall acceptance of a mobile video service. This makes circuit-switched streaming video with short code access a viable alternative to the currently predominant packet-switched video services.