Guide
What is SRTLA? Bonded streaming explained
SRTLA is how IRL streamers stay online on mobile data: it spreads one stream across several connections, like two SIM cards and Wi-Fi, so losing one doesn't end your stream.
How SRTLA works
SRT (Secure Reliable Transport) is an open-source video protocol built for unreliable networks. It keeps a short buffer and resends packets that go missing, so a stream survives the hiccups that freeze RTMP.
SRTLA (SRT Link Aggregation) came out of the BELABOX project. It takes that SRT stream and sends its packets over every connection you have at once: two SIMs from different carriers, a phone hotspot, Wi-Fi. A server on the other end, the SRTLA receiver, puts the packets back in order and hands a normal SRT stream to OBS.
Because the stream is spread out, losing one connection only removes some of the capacity. The rest carries on, and the app lowers the bitrate until the lost link comes back.
SRTLA vs SRT vs RTMP vs RIST
| Protocol | Connections | Handles packet loss | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTMP | One | Poorly: stalls and buffers | Stable home internet, simple setups |
| SRT | One | Yes, resends lost packets | A single mobile or Wi-Fi connection |
| SRTLA | Several at once | Yes, across all links | IRL streaming on mobile data |
| RIST | One or more | Yes, resends lost packets | Encoders and apps that support it |
What you need to stream with SRTLA
- A sender that supports it: Moblin on iPhone, IRL Pro on Android, or a BELABOX encoder.
- Two or more connections: a second SIM, a hotspot or Wi-Fi alongside your main data.
- An SRTLA receiver: a server that rebuilds the stream. Every IRLhosting Cloud OBS plan includes one, and the server then runs OBS and streams to Twitch, Kick or YouTube for you.
Bonding makes drops rarer, but it can't beat a tunnel. Pair it with disconnect protection so viewers see your BRB scene instead of an offline screen when every link goes quiet.
Set it up
Build your SRTLA address with the SRT, SRTLA and RIST URL builder, then follow the guide for your app: Moblin, IRL Pro, Belabox or IRLbox. New to all of this? Start with how to IRL stream from your phone.
FAQ
SRTLA questions
What does SRTLA stand for?
SRT Link Aggregation. It sends one SRT stream over several network connections at the same time and puts it back together on a server.
Is SRTLA better than RTMP for IRL streaming?
For mobile streaming, usually yes. RTMP uses one connection and stalls when it struggles. SRTLA spreads the stream over several connections and SRT recovers lost packets, so it copes far better with patchy mobile data.
Which apps support SRTLA?
Moblin on iPhone, IRL Pro on Android and BELABOX encoders all support SRTLA. LiveU uses its own bonding technology.
Do I need a server for SRTLA?
Yes. Something has to receive the separate connections and rebuild the stream. Every IRLhosting Cloud OBS plan includes an SRTLA relay, and IRLrelays.com sells relays on their own if you run OBS yourself.
Does SRTLA use more data?
Not really. The stream is split between your connections rather than sent twice, so the total is about the same as streaming over one connection, plus a little overhead. The data usage calculator splits it across your SIMs.
Get an SRTLA server with OBS built in
Every plan includes an SRTLA relay and a cloud OBS that streams to Twitch, Kick and YouTube.