Telecom operators generate the bulk of their revenue through various means, with the most prominent being subscription-based services. These services offer customers access to a range of channels and packages, each tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of individual users. From sports and news to entertainment and movies, these subscriptions provide a comprehensive and immersive viewing experience that simply cannot be matched by anything else.

Whether you prefer watching the latest blockbuster hits or catching up on your favourite TV shows, operators have got you covered. Their revenue model depends on offering a wide range of content at a competitive price, ensuring that you get the best value for your money. With new channels and packages constantly being added to their lineup, there is always something new and exciting to discover, making it easy to stay entertained and engaged, no matter what your interests may be.

Telco operators are currently treading on thin ice as they struggle to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of OTT content providers. They need new revenue streams that can help them stay afloat in this highly competitive market. Several trends are emerging that operators can utilize for more revenue:

• Incorporating targeted advertisements,
• Building local content-oriented video platforms,
• Offering an enriched live sport viewing experience,
• Offering novel environments like the metaverse to their users.

By doing so, telco operators can create a more personalized experience for their users. Another aspect that is still open for operators is to keep live sports content in their domains and engage users with an enhanced sports-watching experience, now achievable due to the standardization of the app ecosystem provided by advances in operating systems on devices.

However, this is easier said than done. The key principles that need to be considered when creating a strategy are:

• The importance of data. Data is becoming increasingly valuable to TV operators. By collecting and analyzing data about their subscribers, TV operators can better understand their needs and preferences. This information can then be used to target advertising, personalize content, and improve the overall customer experience. Relying on a 3rd-party data source no longer cuts it; the opportunity to extract unique conclusions that bring a competitive edge is crucial.
• The need for innovation. TV operators need to be innovative to keep up with the changing media landscape. They must find new ways to reach their subscribers and generate revenue. This may involve experimenting with new technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, or exploring new business models, such as subscription bundling. In short, TV operators need to invest in innovation to keep up with changes; if they do not, they will fall behind and lose market share.
• The importance of partnerships. TV operators can also capitalize on collaborations with other businesses. For instance, they could team up with a content provider to launch a new streaming service or join forces with a technology company to invent a novel content delivery method. B2B technology partners like RT-RK are an ideal match since they don’t cater to end-users or rely on their data for revenue but instead offer advanced expertise to solve various problems.

Local content

Telco operators need to be strategic in their approach and think outside the box to stay relevant. They must compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime by offering unique content that cannot be found elsewhere. By doing this, they can differentiate themselves from the competition and attract a larger share of the market. Telco operators need to act quickly and adapt to the changing landscape of the industry if they want to survive in the long run.

Operators have a clear advantage over big global corporations who may not even know their customers’ names because they truly understand their customers. They have built a relationship with their customers and understand their preferences, allowing them to provide locally focused content and targeted advertisements much more precisely. Localized services can also offer content in local languages, which can be a significant advantage in regions where English is not widely spoken. They can tailor their marketing efforts to fit the needs of their community, offering promotions that resonate with their customers and creating a sense of community that corporations cannot replicate. This personal touch is something that customers appreciate and value, making them more likely to return and recommend the business to others. Furthermore, local content platforms can also help support local content creators and producers, leading to a more diverse and vibrant content ecosystem. Finally, localized streaming services can also help reduce the carbon footprint of streaming, as they do not require the same level of data transmission and processing as global services.

RT-RK’s decades of operating in the TV industry have enabled us to build a strong and diverse team capable of delivering a full end-to-end solution, combining a set of open-source and production-ready components in partnership with well-established security providers like Widevine and NAGRA.

Targeted advertising

Unlike global corporations, operators can be precise in their advertising efforts. They can focus on the specific needs and wants of their customers because they understand what makes their community tick. This means that their targeted advertisements are much more effective, as they resonate with their audience and are more likely to convert into sales. Additionally, operators have the advantage of creating local content that is relevant and engaging to their customers. This type of content fosters a connection between the operator and their community, building trust and brand loyalty. In turn, this relationship can translate into increased revenue, as customers are more likely to choose a business that they feel connected to over a faceless corporation. Also, local business partners will see operators as strong partners that they can rely on, not just for traditional services like internet and telephony, but as leading beacons for advanced technology, opening the potential for much more complex collaborations. Overall, the advantage of truly knowing their community is one that operators should cherish and leverage to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape.

Co-op watching (watch party)

Co-op watching is a feature that allows users to watch content together and interact with each other in real time. This can be achieved through features such as live chat, polls, and quizzes.

Imagine watching your favourite movie with your friends and family, but instead of just sitting together in silence, you can chat about the movie, answer trivia questions, and even vote on what happens next. This is the power of co-op watching, and it is a feature that telecom operators can use to their advantage.

Firstly, co-op watching can help to increase engagement with content. When people can interact with each other while watching something, they are more likely to be engaged with the content itself. This means they are more likely to pay attention to what is happening, remember what they have seen, and recommend it to others.

In addition, co-op watching can help to improve customer retention. When people can watch content with their friends and family, they are more likely to stick with the service that provides that content. Co-op watching makes watching content more social and enjoyable, helping to build relationships between people.

Finally, co-op watching can open new revenue streams for telecom operators. For example, operators could charge a premium for co-op watching features or sell advertising space during co-op viewing sessions. This could help generate additional revenue for operators and offset the costs of providing co-op watching services. Our customizable solutions for watch parties offer all the needed components for operators to build a unique and engaging service for their customers in record time.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) is not yet mainstream, which is good news for telecom operators. In the mobile phone market, telecom operators have lost to big tech companies. However, they have been able to maintain their position in the TV and set-top box (STB) markets. At RT-RK, we believe that VR is an area where telecom operators can achieve a decisive victory and reap the benefits of the upcoming trend.

Building rich and engaging user experiences in VR around currently available content is a challenge, but it is one worth taking on. Imagine diving into a metaverse where legacy content from your favourite movies, TV shows, and video games comes to life. With VR technology, users can step into their favourite worlds and interact with them like never before. From exploring Hogwarts Castle in Harry Potter to battling zombies in The Walking Dead, the possibilities for immersive experiences are endless.

Sports watching can also be taken to a whole new level. With VR, there is endless room for displaying stats and predictions without obstructing the action on the field. The key to creating a truly engaging user experience is interactivity. Users want to feel like they are part of the story, not just watching it unfold. By incorporating interactive elements into VR experiences, users can make choices that affect the outcome of the story and feel like they are truly part of the action.

To achieve this level of richness and engagement, it is important to take advantage of the latest VR technology while the market is still open for competition. With advancements in hardware and software, developers can create experiences that feel more realistic than ever before. From haptic feedback to realistic physics, VR can transport users to worlds that feel like they truly exist. By leveraging these technologies, developers can create experiences that are not only immersive but also memorable. The result is a user experience that is truly one-of-a-kind and leaves a lasting impression on the user.

In conclusion, building rich and engaging user experiences in VR around currently available content is an exciting challenge that can lead to unforgettable experiences for users. Telecom operators who can seize this opportunity will be well-positioned to succeed in the VR market. RT-RK is a one-stop-shop that offers a comprehensive solution for managing the complexities of the telco operator ecosystem, making it an ideal partner for de-risking and pioneering initiatives in virtual reality technology. The company’s skilled team is trained to deliver immersive VR experiences, setting it apart from other players in the industry. This unique combination of expertise and capabilities makes RT-RK a valuable partner for telcos looking to explore the potential of VR technology.