Apple is seeking faster delivery of its audiovisual content (videos, movies, news, music, etc.), which users watch on television through its decoders. In this light, it is in discussions with the telecommunications network company, Comcast, in order to secure faster streaming technology. Although no details were given by either company, the relevant information is reported in a report by The Wall Street Journal. However, those in the know point out that the contacts between Apple and Comcast are at a preliminary stage and there are many obstacles to overcome before an agreement is reached. Apple's goal is to bypass the congestion in data traffic on the Internet for its content, which some people choose to watch on a television screen instead of on iPads, iPods or iPhones. This could be achieved with faster decoders than the existing ones.
Apple seeks to distinguish its television content from mass content, such as that available on the Internet, in order to ensure faster access to users in the last part of its transmission path. Hence, it is requesting special treatment from Comcast's networks. Apple had initially started talks with Time Warner Cable to secure a faster decoder, but the company was recently bought by Comcast. It is worth noting that Netflix, an American group that provides television series and movies on demand, reached an agreement with Comcast in February. Under this agreement, it will pay the appropriate price in order to achieve higher speeds. In this way, it paves the way for other content providers to claim improved services from those that provide cable coverage. For its part, the US Federal Communications Commission is drafting a bill that would ensure that telecommunications network groups accurately disclose how they manage Internet data traffic and that they do not limit consumers' ability to search the Internet or use applications
Source: kathimerini.gr
