PacketVideo

PacketVideo Corporation, commonly known as PacketVideo or PV, was a United States technology company focused on software for mobile and connected-device multimedia. Founded in San Diego on 10 August 1998 by James C. Brailean, Cheuk Chan, Osama Al-shaykh, Gene Wen, and Mark R. Banham, the company developed technologies that enabled video playback, media services, and related multimedia functions on wireless handsets and other consumer devices. The company operated primarily as a business-to-business technology supplier rather than as a consumer-facing product brand. Its customers included mobile network operators such as Verizon Wireless, NTT DoCoMo, and Orange, as well as handset manufacturers and consumer-electronics companies. PacketVideo's software was designed to be embedded into products and carrier services, allowing multimedia capabilities to be distributed under a customer or operator's own branding. The company stated that its technology had been incorporated into more than 249 million devices and over 248 different products. PacketVideo's business developed across several parts of the mobile-media stack. Its CORE technology provided a general framework for mobile multimedia applications and media services. MediaFusion was a white-label client-server platform intended to help operators and device partners create on-device portals for rich-media services. The company also offered the TwonkyMedia suite, which connected home-entertainment and networked devices and extended PacketVideo's activities beyond mobile handsets into digital-home interoperability. The corporate structure changed several times. In 2003, PacketVideo sold its infrastructure division to Alcatel. In 2005, the company was acquired by NextWave Wireless. PacketVideo became a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's NTT DOCOMO in 2010, linking its software capabilities to one of the world's major mobile operators. NTT DOCOMO later sold PacketVideo North America and Europe to Lynx Technology on 10 May 2015, followed by the remaining PacketVideo Japan business on 10 May 2016. PacketVideo maintained development and commercial operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, with development centers reported in San Diego, Chicago, Chandigarh, Charlotte, Tokyo, Tampere, Berlin, Boston, and Basel. Its sales and customer-support network included San Diego, Chicago, Charlotte, Tokyo, Tampere, Nice, and Basel. It also participated in a range of mobile, broadcasting, media, and connected-home industry organizations, including the Open Handset Alliance, 3GPP, the Open Mobile Alliance, the Digital Living Network Alliance, and several mobile-TV and multimedia forums. After the transactions with Lynx Technology, the PacketVideo name was no longer actively used as an independent operating brand. The company's historical significance lies in helping mobile operators, device makers, and electronics companies commercialize multimedia functions during the transition from basic mobile phones to video-capable smartphones and connected home devices.

PacketVideo was established in San Diego, California, on 10 August 1998 by James C. Brailean, Cheuk Chan, Osama Al-shaykh, Gene Wen, and Mark R. Banham. Its initial area of specialization was wireless multimedia software, particularly technology that allowed video and other rich media to be displayed and managed on mobile handsets. Rather than selling a heavily consumer-branded device, PacketVideo supplied software to mobile operators, handset manufacturers, and consumer-electronics businesses. The company's role in the mobile industry was that of an enabling-technology provider. Its software could be integrated into handsets and operator services, allowing partners to offer multimedia experiences under their own commercial brands. PacketVideo reported deployments across more than 249 million devices and more than 248 products. Its customer base included Verizon Wireless, NTT DoCoMo, and Orange, illustrating the company's participation in both North American, European, and Asian mobile ecosystems. PacketVideo expanded its portfolio beyond basic playback software. The CORE product provided a reusable framework for mobile multimedia applications and media services. MediaFusion supplied a white-label client-server environment for creating and launching rich-media portals on devices. Through the TwonkyMedia suite, the company also addressed the connected-home market by helping networked entertainment products discover and connect with one another. The company's corporate history was marked by divestitures and acquisitions. In 2003, PacketVideo sold its infrastructure division to Alcatel. In 2005, NextWave Wireless acquired the company. PacketVideo subsequently became a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT DOCOMO in 2010. This ownership placed PacketVideo within a major international telecommunications group and supported its continuing work with mobile media and device software. NTT DOCOMO later transferred the business to Lynx Technology in two stages. On 10 May 2015, Lynx Technology acquired PacketVideo North America and Europe. On 10 May 2016, it acquired the remaining PacketVideo Japan portion. Following these transactions, the PacketVideo name was no longer actively used as an independent operating brand. At its international operating peak, PacketVideo had a headquarters in San Diego and development centers in San Diego, Chicago, Chandigarh, Charlotte, Tokyo, Tampere, Berlin, Boston, and Basel. Sales and customer-support locations included San Diego, Chicago, Charlotte, Tokyo, Tampere, Nice, and Basel. The company also participated in industry groups covering mobile communications, multimedia standards, mobile television, broadcasting, and connected-home technologies. Its affiliations included the Open Handset Alliance, 3GPP, the Broadcast Mobile Convergence Forum, the FLO Forum, the International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium, the Mobile DTV Alliance, the MPEG Industry Forum, the Open Mobile Alliance, and the Digital Living Network Alliance. PacketVideo's historical importance comes from its position during the development of mobile video and networked media. It helped commercial partners incorporate multimedia capabilities into phones and other devices at a time when mobile operators were expanding from voice and messaging toward richer data services. Although the corporate brand later disappeared from active use after the Lynx Technology transactions, its software portfolio and embedded-distribution model represent an important phase in the evolution of mobile and connected-device media.

• 2016

  PacketVideo Japan transferred to Lynx Technology

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  Lynx Technology acquires the remaining PacketVideo Japan portion on 10 May.

• 2015

  North American and European operations sold to Lynx Technology

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  Lynx Technology acquires PacketVideo North America and Europe on 10 May.

• 2010

  Becomes wholly owned by NTT DOCOMO

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  PacketVideo becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT DOCOMO.

• 2005

  Acquired by NextWave Wireless

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  NextWave Wireless acquires PacketVideo.

• 2003

  Infrastructure division sold to Alcatel

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  PacketVideo sells its infrastructure division to Alcatel.

• 1998

  PacketVideo is founded in San Diego

  [1]PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org

  PacketVideo is founded on 10 August in San Diego by James C. Brailean, Cheuk Chan, Osama Al-shaykh, Gene Wen, and Mark R. Banham.

A behind-the-scenes enterprise software supplier for mobile multimedia, carrier media services, handset manufacturers, and connected-home devices.

• Mobile multimedia framework

  CORE

  CORE was PacketVideo's general-purpose framework for mobile multimedia applications. It provided a common software structure intended to support different media services and application experiences across wireless devices. Its role was to give operators and device makers a reusable foundation rather than requiring each multimedia function to be built independently.

• White-label mobile media platform

  MediaFusion

  MediaFusion was a client-server software application for developing and launching rich-media portals on mobile devices. It was designed for operator and enterprise deployment, enabling partners to present media services through their own branded on-device environments. The product reflected PacketVideo's focus on infrastructure and software that could be embedded into a customer's commercial offering.

• Connected-home media software

  TwonkyMedia

  The TwonkyMedia suite connected home-entertainment and networked devices, extending PacketVideo's business from mobile handsets into digital-home media sharing. It supported the broader idea of interoperable consumer electronics in which content could be accessed across compatible devices on a home network.

• 2016

  Sale of PacketVideo JapanM&A

  Background

  The regional transfer begun in 2015 was completed with the disposition of the remaining Japanese portion.

  Action taken

  Lynx Technology acquired PacketVideo Japan on 10 May.

  Aftermath

  All identified parts of PacketVideo were under Lynx Technology ownership, and the PacketVideo name was no longer actively used.

  Source

• 2015

  Sale of North American and European operationsM&A

  Background

  NTT DOCOMO reorganized ownership of PacketVideo's regional operations.

  Action taken

  Lynx Technology acquired PacketVideo North America and Europe on 10 May.

  Aftermath

  The PacketVideo business moved toward Lynx Technology ownership and the brand subsequently ceased active independent use.

  Source

• 2010

  Integration into NTT DOCOMOM&A

  Background

  NTT DOCOMO acquired full ownership of PacketVideo as mobile operators expanded their multimedia and data-service capabilities.

  Action taken

  PacketVideo became a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT DOCOMO.

  Aftermath

  The company remained associated with a major international mobile operator until its later transfer to Lynx Technology.

  Source

• 2005

  Acquisition by NextWave WirelessM&A

  Background

  PacketVideo continued operating in the mobile multimedia software sector after its infrastructure divestiture.

  Action taken

  NextWave Wireless acquired PacketVideo.

  Aftermath

  PacketVideo operated under new ownership before later becoming part of NTT DOCOMO.

  Source

• 2003

  Divestiture of the infrastructure divisionM&A

  Background

  PacketVideo separated part of its business by selling its infrastructure division to Alcatel.

  Action taken

  The infrastructure division was transferred to Alcatel.

  Aftermath

  The transaction narrowed PacketVideo's remaining business around wireless multimedia software and related services.

  Source

1. 1PacketVideoen.wikipedia.org