Telstra unveils Global Media Network for content delivery

Telstra has announced that it will be launching a system for broadcasters to deliver both live and file-based media content worldwide with its Global Media Network, utilising its extensive network resources and infrastructure.

Telstra Global Media Network -- which relies on the telecommunications provider's global submarine fibre cable network, four teleports, 40 satellites, and broadcast operations in Australia, Asia, Europe, and the United States -- will launch internationally early next year.

Trevor Boal, head of Telstra Broadcast Services, said the offering is in response to the increasing popularity of video-streaming services.

"The rapid growth of video-on-demand consumption, particularly in Asia, has triggered a surge in demand for content ... the Telstra Global Media Network was built to empower our customers to swiftly and smartly grasp the incredible opportunity at hand with the rise of demand for content," Boal said at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

"With the Telstra Global Media Network, customers can easily book services online and choose the level of support they need, from self-service to dedicated 24/7 monitoring provided by our dedicated Broadcast Operations Centres in Sydney and master control rooms in Hong Kong, London, New York, and Los Angeles."

In order to ensure continued network reliability, Boal said Telstra planned its Global Media Network with a "geographically diverse dual path ring" ensuring that data traffic is automatically diverted when there are network disruptions.

Telstra last month showcased its fully operational Broadcast Operations Centre (BOC) in Sydney, which manages over 400 video, audio, and data services. It provides broadcasters with content-transfer solutions via its fibre, satellite, and internet protocol (IP) networks as part of the Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS) business.

"We are very, very strong in the operational technology; we're working very closely with broadcasters around delivery of content, and one of our flagship offerings is our digital video network," Boal said at the time.

"Most of the broadcasters and content owners in Australia are our customers. There's a very vast and expanding network connecting studios, production facilities, and increasingly now venues, so for example taking sporting content, or stadium content, back to production facilities, studio facilities, for broadcast."

Boal at the time signalled Telstra's intent to continue expanding the TBS business globally.

"Global aspirations are key to our future growth," he explained.

"And we are already quite a substantial player in delivery of content in and out of Australia that we do have a focus, and we will continue to invest more in, our global ambitions around delivering content in and out of Asia, from Europe, the UK, and also North America. We work closely with a couple of existing partners already in different parts of the world, and we continue to invest in those partnerships."

According to Boal, one of the major drawcards for customers to use Telstra's broadcast-transferring system is that it owns a large fibre network across the APAC region.

"In particular, owning the fibre assets [is] a very strong differentiator for a provider in that market to be able to transport that content cost effectively and efficiently for broadcasters and sporting rights holders," Boal said.