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Mobile TV is based on Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H) technology. DVB-H technology enables the TV service you are familiar with at home to be broadcast to your mobile device. DVB-H provides the best user experience in the mobile environment with excellent picture and reduced battery consumption. Up to 50 TV channels can be delivered with low cost, over one network. With extensive pilots of broadcast mobile TV currently taking place across the globe, involving leading broadcasters, mobile operators, broadcast network operators and handset manufacturers, the market for commercial broadcast services is expected to spread during 2006. Mobile phone giant Nokia expects mobile TV networks using its chosen standard to be up and running by the middle of next year, allowing people to watch live TV broadcasts on their cell phones, reports Reuters. The system is being tested in about 40 pilots worldwide and Nokia's Anssi Vanjoki said on Wednesday he expects networks to go live in the first half of 2006. Nokia said it would make the technology a regular feature on its multimedia mobiles, allowing users to watch broadcasters' programs directly rather than rebroadcast by telecom firms." In Australia, 3 mobile officially launched its mobile TV service, offering customers six new channels, including live CNN breaking news and Sky Racing streams. Rather than utilising the upcoming DVB-H (digital video broadcasting for handhelds) standard, '3' streams the programs to handsets using its third-generation mobile phone networks. A three-minute episode of Forget The Rules is about a 5-8MB stream in total -- although '3' offers pay as you go and subscription rates rather than charging for data. Satellite broadcaster BSkyB and mobile phone giant Vodafone have launched a TV service for mobile phones in the UK. Sky Mobile TV will allow Vodafone customers to view some of BSkyB's TV content on their third generation (3G) handsets. In UK Rival mobile firms O2 and Orange have already launched trial TV services in the UK and France. And earlier in the month 3 launched an enhanced mobile TV service, including access to a range of TV channels. Unlike the forays by O2 and Orange into the mobile TV market, the Vodafone service is not a trial. Meanwhile through a deal with MobiTV, 3 has expanded its TV offering with seven new channels: Kiss; Shorts TV; CNN; Extreme Sports; ITN; Cartoon Network and Bravo. TV on the move In September, O2 began a six-month pilot of technology that allows people watch TV directly on their mobiles. Orange, meanwhile, began testing similar technology this month in France. Vodafone's Sky Mobile TV service offers two packages broadcasting a combined total of 19 channels carrying news, sport, music and documentary programmes. The service will be free to Vodafone customers until 31 January 2006, after which date it will cost £5 a month. |