LIME 'thrilled' with Champs video streaming

The recent staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships marked 100 years since the boys' aspect of the championships has been staged. In keeping with the historic trend, telecommunications giants LIME also made history as they had live video streaming of the event for a selection of their mobile customers, making it the first time in the meet's 100-year history that fans were able to see coverage live via their mobile phones.

The meet, which is enormously popular, was used to test LIME's new 3G mobile video streaming service. LIME teamed up with US-based RealNetworks, a leading provider of digital entertainment, to bring the action to the mobile phones of its customers. They utilised RealNetworks' Helix Media Delivery Platform to deploy the video content on its 3G Network.

LIME's chief marketing officer, Chris Dehring, believes the initiative was an indication of the kind of innovation that customers can expect in the near future.

"We are thrilled with how well our mobile video streaming of Champs went over with our customers and how it clearly demonstrated the versatility of our mobile network," said Dehring.

"A mobile phone is not just about talking and texting, it has become a lifestyle communication and entertainment device and the Champs video-streaming service is just a preview of what you can expect from LIME in the future," he added.

Mike Womack, RealNetworks' director of mobile and business development, is already looking forward to working with LIME on other technological ventures.

"The significance of the 100th anniversary of Champs led LIME to break new ground in using its 3G network and the Helix Media Delivery Platform, provided by RealNetworks, to bring the meet to its mobile customers," said Womack.

"It was a great pleasure for RealNetworks to partner with LIME in this first-ever delivery of Champs to a mobile audience and we look forward to working with LIME over the coming months, continuing to craft a world-class mobile video platform that will deliver live television and other special events via Helix," he added.