Ericsson has announced a collaboration with Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) and Nokia.
Aiming to enhance immersive media and mobile video user experiences, the partners are combining video codec research for the first time to shape coding standardisation for the 6G era.
Researchers have jointly demonstrated a new video codec with “considerably higher” compression efficiency than current standards H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, and H.266/VVC) with no significant increase in complexity. Energy efficiency and scalability was also improved, with the results providing early evidence that the technology meets the requirements of the next phase in video coding standardisation.
Oversight bodies the ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group and the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) positively evaluated the results which are expected to help drive progress towards evaluation and decision-making by the standardisation committee.
The next standard is expected to be operational from 2029-30, in line with forecast 6G deployment and will be key for a wide range of applications including mobile communication and streaming, as well as low-latency and immersive experiences. Use cases will include AI-generated and 3D content, it is anticipated.
Commenting, Magnus Frodigh, head of research at Ericsson, said, “As a global connectivity leader, Ericsson is perfectly positioned to research and drive 6G enablement capabilities. We are proud to partner with Nokia and Fraunhofer HHI in video coding to combine research expertise and shape the next standard. Our partnership video codec achievement not only shows the ability of European technology leaders to come together and pioneer breakthroughs, but, by being prominent at the very start of the process, also flags our combined determination and commitment to shape the next generation of standards.”
Ville-Veikko Mattila, head of multimedia technologies, Nokia, said, “Nokia’s inventors have been instrumental in the development of all market-adopted video codecs for the last three decades, including fundamental H.26x video compression technologies, and we are excited about shaping the next generation of video standards. By working together at the very start of the standardisation journey we will ensure that the values of openness, excellence, and sustainability are embedded in the next generation of digital media experiences.”
Prof. Thomas Wiegand, executive director of Fraunhofer HHI, added, “Video technologies are central to the digital experiences of tomorrow. Our joint research with Ericsson and Nokia demonstrates Europe’s strong competence in advanced media technologies and its active role in global standardisation efforts. This collaboration also builds upon the contributions of the broader JVET research community, whose work continues to drive progress in next-generation video coding.”
