What is the service "over the top"?

What is the service "over the top"?

Video generates most online content. Since the creation of cinema and television (TV), the recording, the reproduction or the diffusion of moving visual images have fascinated the spectators of the whole world, sometimes leading to an addiction of which many are glued to the screens of film or television for hours

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During the period the distribution mechanism of the video underwent a major transformation; with digital technologies that are pushing new frontiers. The OTT is one of the new mechanisms for broadcasting film and television content via the Internet, OTT, which means "over the top".

OTT is a networking phenomenon that describes the provision of Internet-based services, applications or content by relying on network infrastructure owned and managed by Internet Service Providers and Mobile Operators.

OTT is a service that users consume on the Internet but that is not provided by an Internet provider or telecommunication company by a third party that uses its network to provide a free service but without relationship with the Internet provider. They basically provide the hose to deliver the content. Essentially, OTT applications rely on the Internet to provide media and communication services while bypbading traditional cable and satellite distribution systems.

For example, a customer can watch a TV show on a pay-per-view network. In this case, the network provides the services via satellite or other means and charges the consumer based on the options that he selects. In the case of OTT, the consumer usually downloads an application from his preferred service provider, pays for Internet access, and then continues to watch television content and programming for free. Some premium OTT providers may charge a minimum monthly fee, while others may require customers that they watch the ads instead of paying. The leading providers in the OTT space such as Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Video offer video streaming services for a monthly subscription. The subscriber can consume their content such as TV shows, movies, videos, documentary or audio content on any device connected to the Internet.

Usually, many subscribers access these content on their Internet TV can buy video streaming devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV that turn their regular television into Internet TV.

Beyond the use of OTT to stream video streaming on TVs, OTT can be found in the field of voice / video calling, for example skype or Facetime, WhatsApp for messaging on mobile devices, as well as games.

Neutrality of the Net and OTT

A discussion on OTT can not take place without net neutrality coming into play. Net neutrality can be described as the practice of Internet service providers charging higher fees. for stream prioritization, which leads to faster delivery of content. Essentially, a by-pbad consumer of services pays higher or higher fees for his use of the Internet because he signed descriptive services and not just Internet packages (neutrality). )

OTT in Ghana [19659013] There are basically three major types of OTT applications or services, namely voice and messaging, application eco-systems and television. In Ghana, WhatsApp (voice and messaging) is the most popular OTT application. The second most popular is eco-application systems such as Dropbox, icloud and google drive, mainly used by businesses to store data and files. Television as an OTT service is catching up quickly. There are a number of providers such as ZIP TV's IPTV broadcast platform that offers linear TV, transactional video on demand (VOD), VOD subscription and STB decoder, as well as entertainment packages such as African Movies on the GO (AMGO) and IROKOtv Ghana

One question that always arises is the regulatory frameworks that should guide such efforts in a country. With regard to such a framework for Ghana, the National Communication Authority (NCA) press release issued on Monday, May 9, 2016 (https://www.nca.org.gh/badets/Uploads/Press-Release- OTT-Services-v2.pdf) states: "[We are] reviewing the situation and will take timely decisions in favor of a favorable regulatory environment that will benefit all stakeholders, including the operator and the consumer."

Advantages and Disadvantages of the OTT

] The reduction of content broadcasting costs, the free communication opportunities, the increased use of the Internet and the possibility for the creators of content to distribute their content to a wider local and international audience can be considered key benefits. OTT.

Some disadvantages, particularly through the eyes of telecommunication service providers and the Internet, include lost revenue from SMS and phone calls. Security concerns are also mentioned with regard to OTT, because states that these services are not secure.

In conclusion, the widespread availability of Internet access, especially on mobile devices, OTT providers and services. This poses a big challenge for traditional content providers who are now looking for ways to take advantage of this technology. Overall, the OTT space becomes very competitive; leading to more options for consumers with lower fees resulting as well. Ghana will have to invest more to exploit the full potential of this rapidly evolving technology.

The author is the executive director of Penplusbytes.org E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. WhatsApp: 0241995737