Today the third largest cable TV system operator, Cox Communications, announced that it has formally chosen Qualcomm’s BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) as its distribution mechanism for mobile content. In a press release issued today the companies say that BREW will make it easier for owners of Cox wireless handsets to download “games, tools, lifestyle, location, messaging and ringtones” from the Qualcomm-hosted server. That would put it on a par with Verizon Wireless which renewed and updated its commitment to Qualcomm and BREW for distribution of its mobile applications.

This is a cable TV system operator’s rendition of recombinant telephony – building a solution from multiple found objects. Admittedly, it’s not the classic standards-based, open source example, but Cox has shown considerable creativity, turning to Sprint to provide wireless bandwidth and Qualcomm for its AppStore. Among the major applications for mobile phones provided by cable TV system operators will be the transformation of the wireless handset into the long-promised, personalized remote control for the TV at home. The vision of a service that enables wireless subscribers to preview shows and program the DVR (digital video recorder) to download or record “favorites” was at the heart of the Video-On-Demand movement at the turn of the century.

Today, it is closer than ever, with mobile subscribers growing accustomed to shopping at AppStores and downloading all sorts of content (preferably free). The terms of the contract between Cox and Qualcomm were not disclosed, but both parties emphasized that they are delivering a rich user experience to each customer by simplifying the process of finding and interacting with mobile content. While BREW has not been the best platform for delivery of “free” applications, Verizon Wireless’ renegotiation with Qualcomm appears to have paved the way for more pricing and rev share options.

The next evolutionary step, from Opus Research’s perspective, will be the introduction of voice control for the multiplicity of apps and entertainment options that will be made available under the “four screen” or “quadruple play” strategy – meaning voice, video, data and wireless. As we are discovering while preparing our soon-to-be-release “Mobile Speech” report, a reliable voice user interface (VUI) is a crucial component of any plans to deliver easy access to a multiplicity of features, functions and services through mobile handsets.

Categories: Articles

Tags: mobile services, Recombinant Telephony, Cox Communications, Qualcomm