WebRTC: Game-changer or game over?

摘要

At first glance, it looks as though Google-backed WebRTC, the technology that enables real-time communications through the browser, is a threat to both fixed and mobile operators. Users, with a few mouse clicks, and no downloading of apps, are promised access to internet-delivered voice and video at pretty good quality, relegating operators to the role of "dumb pipe". However, operators argue differently, pointing to Internet Multimedia Subsystems (IMS) platforms as a way to differentiate. Real-time communications have long been the Holy Grail on fixed and mobile networking, with myriad attempts such as instant messaging, push-to-talk and other real-time systems developed over the years. Now WebRTC, backed by the W3C and industry heavyweights Google and a whole host of other big players including Ericsson, AT&T and Cisco has entered the fray.