Mobile walled gardens make comeback with video

According to Doug Overton, head of marketing with WDS Global, the mobile network operators have already started to block services offered by independent video content providers.

Such providers are trying to stream their video content to 3G mobile phone users. In order to receive the stream, the consumer needs to download an appropriate Java based client.

The catch is that the standard port addresses which such Java apps normally utilise are being blocked by mobile network operators. The motivation for this is to ensure that all video streams pass through the operator's own portal.

Handset debugging specialist, WDS Global, made this discovery when asked by its clients why such Java applets weren't working on regular handsets.

Overton claimed that his clients were operating in the sports betting space but the INQ rather suspects that purveyors of mobile smut are also being caught in this trap.

It will mean that consumers will only be able to watch what the operator allows them to. This is a throwback to the very early days of WAP. Independent suppliers were stifled

For now the problem will probably be brushed under the carpet but it will rear its ugly head once true 'broadcast TV' becomes available to handsets.

Consumers will be able to view the content for free but when it comes to the back channel - popularly known as pressing the red button - only content providers sanctioned by the mobile operator will be able to provide access.

The catch is that, if mobile network operators are forced to pay for the mobile broadcast TV spectrum, they would be entitled to argue that they need to 'own' the back channel, anyway.

The scene is set for an interesting battle. µ