5G is live in cities around the world. As the new standard for network and technology continues to roll out, it brings with it low latency, greater reliability and a better experience for consumers, businesses and technologies. At Verizon Ventures, we’re excited to be investing in founders who are leveraging 5G capabilities to build their business and better provide solutions through cutting-edge technology.
To highlight 5G use cases throughout our portfolio, we’re kicking off a new series in which we learn more about 5G’s influence within the entrepreneurial startup scene from the CEOs and founders we work with. To start, we spoke with Roy Reichbach, CEO of real-time streaming company Phenix Real Time Solutions, to discuss the convergence of 5G and streaming.
Tell us about your company. What problem are you solving and why is it especially relevant now?
Phenix delivers the technology and platform to drive real-time interactive streaming, multi-camera viewing and synced video experiences to massive audiences on any device, anywhere in the world.
For years, the over-the-top (OTT) video industry has utilized high-latency live streaming using legacy technologies like HLS and DASH that are actually delayed by 30-60 seconds from the actual broadcast. While these legacy technologies scale to very large audiences, it's next to impossible for everyone to have a synced experience, or build real-time interactive/second-screen experiences, that require sub-second latency.
Phenix’s real-time streaming platform has eliminated latency from online streaming while maintaining quality and scale, providing a great online video experience for broadcasters, app developers and streamers worldwide. From gambling, fantasy experiences, auctions and live sports, to just watching videos with friends, Phenix’s real-time streaming aims to be the backbone for the future of video experiences.
How do you utilize 5G? What does it mean for your company’s mission now, and in the future?
5G is built for increased consumer demand for content and real-time streaming applications, especially in the last mile. 5G further enables consistent delivery of real-time video, delivering to more people with better bandwidth, reduced jitter and packet loss. Phenix has built its platform in anticipation of this next generation demand.
5G greatly enhances Phenix’s ability to deliver high quality content in real-time on mobile devices, laptops, set-top-boxes and a variety of smart devices. Experiences are made possible by the combination of reduced latency and increased bandwidth of 5G and Phenix’s real-time streaming technology.
What’s a common misconception of 5G that you’ve found to be inaccurate?
Specific to video streaming experiences and consumption, a common misconception is that 5G will reduce video streaming latency of HLS & DASH streams. But these technologies aren’t hindered by the network; they’re naturally latent because of the way they work. However, 5G does provide an advantage for technologies like Phenix’s implementation of WebRTC, and the delivery of synced broadcast-quality streams in real-time. More bandwidth at the last mile means that higher quality streams can be delivered without latency.
How should entrepreneurs in the streaming space be thinking about 5G?
In short, more high quality video to everyone everywhere — without compromise.
There used to be a trade-off between quality, latency and scale, whereby you had to sacrifice at least one to deliver streaming experiences. We don’t think there needs to be any sacrifice in delivering the highest quality video experiences to any device, anywhere in the world.
From over 500,000 concurrent viewers of the Cheltenham Festival to real-time auctions and live couch broadcast experiences, Phenix is a leader in how broadcasters and rights-holders create unique experiences without sacrificing quality, speed or scale.
Do you have any founder tips or any go-to resources for founders in your industry/area?
Now more than ever is the time to plan mobile-first experiences. Consumers are on-the-go and want their content at any time. This means that broadcasters, streamers and operators need to be able to deliver the content that consumers want, as it happens, to their mobile devices.
Today, anyone considering video streaming needs to first think about how their viewers will consume and sometimes interact with their content. Once that is considered, a host of new streaming possibilities opens up for how you keep consumers connected and engaged in your streaming experience.
How has Verizon Ventures helped you get to where you need to be — especially in regards to 5G?
Verizon and Verizon Ventures are at the forefront of the 5G revolution in the U.S., providing us with valuable insights and 5G expertise to enable the best possible video experiences. This unique relationship provides Phenix with a competitive edge that few other video platforms can capitalize on.
Roy Reichbach, CEO of real-time streaming company Phenix Real Time Solutions
