Private networks and personalisation: Verizon’s vision for the future of media

Throughout her career, ErinRose Widner, Global Head of Business Strategy, Emerging and Creative Technology at Verizon, has been a strong advocate for embracing digital transformation within the media industry. She has witnessed firsthand the shift from traditional media formats, such as DigiBeta to digital files, a transition that was met with significant resistance and fear within the industry. Widner draws parallels between this earlier shift and the current wave of innovation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). She believes that embracing these new technologies is crucial for the future of media and entertainment.

Widner’s career to date has been focussed on the intersection of technology, media, and entertainment. She began in post-production at a localisation company, where she was involved in developing speech recognition technology and data collection. She later moved into channel marketing, strategy, and business development, working with major studios like Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, and Paramount.

Widner’s extensive experience in both technology and entertainment uniquely positions her to lead Verizon’s move into the media space. Under her strategic guidance, Verizon has focussed on developing solutions that go beyond traditional connectivity, such as edge computing and private 5G networks, which are designed to support the evolving needs of media companies. Her vision has been instrumental in guiding Verizon’s efforts to leverage its extensive network infrastructure to deliver new, immersive media experiences that meet the demands of today’s digital-first consumers.

Verizon’s media strategy

Widner emphasises that Verizon’s strengthened focus on media is a natural evolution for the telecoms company. With 80% of internet traffic now consisting of video, Verizon sees a clear opportunity to leverage its extensive network capabilities to enhance the media and entertainment experience.

At the core of Verizon’s strategy is a commitment to move beyond being just a telecommunications provider. Widner highlights Verizon’s investments in edge computing, private 5G networks, and content delivery solutions like Open Cache. These technologies are designed to bring content closer to the user, reduce latency, and ensure a high-quality viewing experience, especially for data-intensive applications like video streaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).

Widner also stresses the company’s strategic focus on edge computing, which plays a crucial role in supporting the future of immersive media. As devices like smartphones become multifunctional hubs for entertainment, communication, and work, Verizon is building the infrastructure needed to support these functions. “Our phones are no longer just for calls; they are basically a small little computer that sits in our pocket,” she says. “I can actually count five devices in front of me, and they’re all connected. They all have a different purpose, but they’re all connecting me with media.” Edge computing ensures that this connection is fast, reliable, and capable of handling the growing demand for high-definition content.

Verizon’s showcase at IBC 2024: a hub of innovation and technology

In Amsterdam this year, Verizon plans to demonstrate several cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. As one of the champions in the IBC Accelerator Program, Verizon is committed to leading the conversation on the future of media technology, with a strong focus on connectivity, immersive experiences, and personalised content. Widner provides an in-depth overview of what Verizon plans to highlight at the event, including new projects, live demonstrations, and collaborations that underline its role as a major player in the industry.

IBC Accelerator Program: personalised content experience

A significant part of Verizon’s presence at IBC2024 will be its participation in the prestigious IBC Accelerator Program. Verizon’s project this year focuses on enhancing personalised content delivery, particularly in the realm of sports broadcasting.

“We’re very fortunate to be one of the champions again this year in the IBC Accelerator Program,” says Widner. “We were selected as one of eight projects with a specialty in the AI sector. What I wanted to look at is, how do you really personalise content in a way that feels authentic to people, as opposed to where, you’ll search for something, and then that ad will follow you forever. Does that feel authentic – no. How do we make the content and the world around us a little more personalised, so it feels authentic to us? We’re looking at how to personalise a viewing experience for sports.”

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Widner explains that by leveraging AI and advanced analytics, the project aims to tailor content in real-time based on the viewer’s preferences, knowledge level, and viewing history. For instance, a sports fan who is new to a particular sport might receive more contextual information, such as player stats or game rules, while a seasoned fan could receive in-depth analysis and advanced commentary.

Private 5G network deployments

Another major highlight of Verizon’s showcase is its pioneering work with private 5G networks. Widner emphasises that private 5G networks are a game-changer for large events and media productions, providing dedicated, high-speed, and low-latency connectivity that is crucial for seamless broadcasting and streaming.

At the show, Verizon will demonstrate the capabilities of its private 5G network by showcasing how it can be deployed in various settings to support live events and media production. For example, Verizon has successfully deployed private 5G networks for the NFL to facilitate coach-to-coach communications during games, ensuring robust and secure connections even in crowded stadium environments.

The demonstration will focus the way that private 5G networks can enhance the quality of live broadcasts by providing reliable connectivity that is not subject to contention with users on the public network. This is particularly important for media companies looking to stream high-definition video content without interruptions or latency issues, which can significantly impact viewer satisfaction. Verizon will also demonstrate how these networks can be quickly set up and scaled to meet the demands of various events, from sports to concerts to large-scale gaming conventions.

Fixed Wireless Access for remote content delivery

Verizon will also present its Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions, which are designed to provide flexible and reliable connectivity for media production teams working in remote or challenging locations. FWA technology uses wireless signals to deliver high-speed internet access, making it an ideal solution for news teams or film crews that need to transmit video content from areas where wired internet connections are not available.

Verizon will demonstrate how FWA can be used to support electronic news gathering (ENG) teams, allowing them to upload high-quality video footage quickly and efficiently from the field. This technology is especially valuable for broadcasters and media organizations that need to cover live events or breaking news in real-time without the constraints of traditional wired infrastructure. The demonstration will highlight how FWA can enhance operational flexibility and ensure that content producers can maintain connectivity, regardless of their location.

Open Cache: revolutionising content delivery

“Our goal is to create a fully connected world where devices, computers, and mobile phones all work seamlessly together” ErinRose Widner, Verizon

Describing Verizon’s Open Cache solution, another innovation set to be showcased at IBC, Widner explains: “This technology allows content to be delivered closer to viewers, which improves the streaming experience. Disney is one of our customers using this technology, and it has been very successful for them,” she says. “Today, there is a huge amount of content available across many apps and streaming platforms, leading to a lot of competition for viewers’ attention. As a result, streaming services are not only focused on providing great content but also on offering a better user experience to stand out from the competition. High ‘churn rates,’ or the number of users who stop using a service, are a big concern for these platforms. I have experienced slow loading times with some streaming apps, and it’s so frustrating that I avoid using them now. This shows how important a fast, seamless experience is for keeping customers happy. Open Cache helps solve this problem by delivering content more quickly, which reduces buffering and keeps users engaged.”

Widner also highlights Verizon’s global reach and substantial investment in network infrastructure. With millions of miles of fibre optic cable laid worldwide and significant investments in spectrum, Verizon is well-positioned to support the growing demand for high-speed, reliable internet access. These investments are not just about expanding coverage but also about enhancing the quality of service and enabling new media experiences.

“Our goal is to create a fully connected world where devices, computers, and mobile phones all work seamlessly together,” Widner says. This vision is driving Verizon’s investments in advanced technologies and infrastructure, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of the media industry’s digital transformation.

To hear more from Verizon, don’t miss the company’s Fireside Chat on 15 September with Iris Meijer, Chief Product & Marketing Officer - Verizon Business, and Grant Nodine, SVP Technology – NHL.

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