Hong Kong to Auction Mobile TV Licenses in Mid-2009
By Jason Ankeny
Officials in Hong Kong have announced plans to auction spectrum earmarked for mobile television services. Hong Kong's Commerce & Economic Development Bureau said it will hold the auction as early as mid-2009, with hopes that mobile TV services will formally launch in 2010. An implementation framework introduced by the bureau calls for point-to-multipoint mobile TV broadcast services, necessitating Hong Hong's Telecommunications Authority to allocate one frequency multiplex in UHF Band and two in Band III.
The UHF Band can support up to 20 mobile TV channels, with an additional six channels provided by the two Band III multiplexes. The bands will be auctioned as two separate packages, with no individual party allowed to acquire more than one package. Officials will also require successful bidders to use at least half of the transmission capacity for providing mobile TV content, with the remainder supporting services like digital audio broadcasting or datacasting.
The Commerce & Economic Development Bureau adds it will impose a baseline requirement mandating that any mobile TV service's geographic coverage spans half of Hong Kong's population--prospective mobile TV operators will have to submit to performance bonds to guarantee compliance should they win the licenses. Operators will also be required to launch services within 18 months from the unified carrier license grant. Officials nevertheless maintain they will adopt a light-handed approach to regulating mobile TV content, favoring general law and self-regulatory codes of practice. [FierceMobileContent]
Qatar Readies for World’s First Commercial Mobile TV Service Based on DVB-H
Qatar Telecom (Qtel), the leading telecommunications service provider, and Nokia Siemens Networks have signed the world’s first commercial Mobile TV deployment contract based on DVB-H and OMA BCast Smart Card Profile technology.
Nokia Siemens Networks will supply Qtel with state-of-the-art Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld (DVB-H) solution providing their subscribers enhanced TV viewing experiences on their mobile phones with the added flexibility of selecting their preferred subscription payment model.
“This agreement opens a historic new chapter for entertainment and connectivity in Qatar. This pioneering partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver a world-class mobile experience for our customers, providing them with the highest quality broadcasts directly to their phones,” said Adel Al Mutawa, Executive Director of Group Communications, Qtel.
A strategic partner for operators looking to deploy Mobile TV solutions, Nokia Siemens Networks will roll out a DVB-H solution with OMA BCast Smart Card Profile (SCP) for Qtel. With OMA BCast SCP, mobile operators are able to integrate the management rights for Mobile TV broadcast content, provided via DVB-H, into their existing infrastructure.
This comprehensive mobile TV solution includes software, hardware, consulting & integration, network design and implementation services. For the authentication of mobile TV subscribers, Nokia Siemens Networks is providing its One-BSF solution, forming a key part of Qtel's Unified Subscriber Database strategy for creating a common subscriber profile to be used for both mobile and DVB-H service.
In addition, Nokia, the infrastructure vendor’s parent company, will provide Nokia N96 handsets to test the first SCP compliant software that enables subscribers to choose from among a host of payment models and interactivity options. One of the main factors in winning this deal was the end-user insight that Nokia Siemens Networks gained from its close collaboration with Nokia.
“This innovation introduces ‘world firsts’ to the global communications community: Qtel will be the first operator anywhere in the world to commercially deploy DVB-H SCP. We will also be the first company to integrate the new Nokia N96 model into our deployment strategy. Both these historic steps will support Qatar’s wider goal of using the most advanced technology to support the growth of the knowledge economy,” noted Al Mutawa.
Adds Qais Esrawee, Head of Customer Business Team for Qtel Group in Nokia Siemens Networks, “We are glad to support Qtel to be among the first to launch mobile television broadcasts in Middle East and Africa. Our association with Nokia is a strong differentiator providing the research and end-user insight we need to help Qtel decide on the service dynamics such as ease of use, affordability and freedom of choice. Alongside our complete portfolio of complementary technologies, we can ensure Qtel’s subscribers enjoy a seamless end to end mobile TV experience.”
The solutions offered by Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks are based on the open DVB-H standards. They allow short implementation time as well as end-to-end capability, combining the equipment, services and devices to create a unique solution for mobile TV service providers.
Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks work with more than 30 operators worldwide on DVB-H implementations. Their commercial launches include Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherland, Philippines, Switzerland and Vietnam. /PR
RNCOS Releases a New Report- Global Mobile TV Forecast to 2010
RNCOS has recently added a new Market Research Report titled, "Global Mobile TV Forecast to 2010" to its report gallery. The convergence of television and mobile phones has resulted in an ultimate wireless application known as Mobile TV - a technology that promises to offer high quality TV services over the cellular phones on the move.
A number of carriers and technology companies have been working on the roll out of Mobile TV across the world. Some services have been launched, albeit in a limited area and to only targeted audience as for broader adoption, operators need the right combination of infrastructure, handsets, content, and supporting technologies.
And as the Mobile TV remains in its infancy, the right combination of technologies and investment are keys to delivering services at a price that users will accept, says the new RNCOS research report.
The report provides information about the current and future scenario of the Mobile TV market across the world. It studies the major and emerging Mobile TV markets and various Mobile TV revenue models that could add to the further take up of Mobile TV. It also discusses various emerging and ongoing trends in the global Mobile TV market.
Key Research Findings
- The global Mobile TV subscribers are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of more than 60% during the period from 2007 to 2010.- As part of bundled services (Triple-Pay), cellular Mobile TV subscribers will continue to dominate the Mobile TV subscribers during the forecast period.
- The Western European region is anticipated to account for the majority of Mobile TV service revenue by 2010 followed by Asia-Pacific and North America.
- The rapidly growing 3G market and continually declining operators' ARPU from conventional services have been propelling the growth of global Mobile TV market.
- As Mobile TV promises to offer personalized and UGC television services over the mobile phone, great opportunities have emerged for content providers to exploit the traditional TV content over the mobile channel in innovative ways.
- With the mobile ad-spending anticipated to grow at more than 42% from 2008 to 2013, advertising could play a significant role in generating Mobile TV revenue for carriers across the world. [FierceWireless]
MComms TV Launches World’s First Live Mobile TV Ad Insertion Technology for the Global Mobile TV Market
Next to print, TV remains the 2nd largest consumer of advertising dollars. Free Mobile TV funded by advertising is the future of Mobile TV.
MComms TV, Australian Mobile TV innovation company today (June 16, 2008) announced the launch of the MComms Ad Insert. Advertisements can now be incorporated into live Mobile TV streams and viewed on any handset with ease.
The take up of Mobile TV to date has been limited because consumers have been unwilling to pay subscription charges to watch TV on their mobile phone handsets. In recent months industry debate has led to the conclusion that advertising is the answer to funding Mobile TV channels. Free Mobile TV will open the flood gates; providing consumers access to a greater variety of content and allowing advertisers access to a new medium for promoting products and services.
MComms TV has developed a software based solution that enables ads to be scheduled and inserted into live TV streams when and where required. MComms Ad Insert will be showcased at CommunicAsia 2008 in Singapore, at the MComms TV booth (Australian Pavilion) between June 17 and 20.
MComms TV Founder and Managing Director, Grant Simonds, said “Content producers, mobile network operators and consumers are calling out for free Mobile TV, but until now there hasn’t been a universal solution for advertising in live Mobile TV. MComms Ad Insert changes all that by providing mobile network operators and content providers with a solution for scheduling, inserting and encoding advertising in live Mobile TV streams. Consumers will be able to watch free Mobile TV content on any handset without the need to download any special software.”
The product was first showcased at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2008. “Interest in the product has been amazing. The soft launch in Barcelona provided us with internal enthusiasm to enhance the product and to make it available as soon as we could”, Simonds said.
Ad Insertion into live mobile TV streams has been a missing ingredient in the technology offerings available to Operators. The launch of MComms Ad Insert is likely to generate significant new interest for the Australian owned and managed MComms TV. /PR
Study: 3G iPhone Will Revolutionize Mobile Video
By Jason Ankeny
The imminent launch of Apple's 3G iPhone promises to revolutionize the mobile TV market according to a new report from telecom and digital media advisory firm Analysys Mason, which argues the handset could become the mobile video delivery device of choice by dominating the space before mobile broadcasting networks become widely available.
According to Analysys Mason, the 3G iPhone--widely expected to officially launch next week during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco--would bring to market video-friendly specifications like high-quality widescreen display, substantial internal memory and low battery consumption as well as support for multiple content delivery protocols including sideloading, indoor WLAN and high-speed 3G access.
No less significant, Apple's iTunes retail storefront already offers more than 600 TV programs and over 1500 feature films, with research indicating that many existing iPhone owners have already accessed mobile TV and video content in far greater numbers than consumers on rival devices. [FierceMobileContent]
WiMAX to Replace 12% of Global DSL Base by 2013
A new analysis of the global opportunity for WiMAX 802.16e forecasts that up to 12% of the global DSL installed base will be substituted by WiMAX by 2013. The Far East will lead with over one fifth of the 47m subscribers in 2013.
A region by region analysis by Juniper Research found that there is a significant opportunity now for WiMAX as a DSL substitute technology. The study explored how WiMAX is well suited to rapid deployment in the many underserved areas, not only in developing areas, but also in developed countries.
Report author Howard Wilcox said: "WiMAX will be an attractive offer in areas where there are no wired networks, and in areas where the existing DSL speed is suboptimal. WiMAX will solve the broadband access problem for users located at the fringes of DSL coverage. This is in fact the case in a number of developed nations such as UK, USA, Ireland and Scandinavia, and WiMAX network operators are deploying networks to address this market need. Additionally in developing countries - such as India - network operators are aiming to provide basic connectivity."
The vast majority of the WiMAX 802.16e trials and network contracts which are being announced almost daily will begin by providing fixed broadband. Mobile usage will develop after initial demand for fixed and portable services – this will be an added benefit for subscribers.
Highlights from the report include:
- The annual fixed WiMAX global market size will exceed 13m subscribers by 2013
- The WiMAX device market – comprising CPE, chipsets, minicards, and USB dongles – will approach $6bn pa by 2013
- The top 3 regions (Far East, N. America and W. Europe) will represent over 60% of the $20bn p.a. global WiMAX service revenues by 2013
However, Howard Wilcox cautioned: "Brand identification and service differentiation are major marketing challenges facing new WiMAX operators. Many of the existing broadband providers are household names that already have widespread market presence and recognition. WiMAX operators will need to identify and promote their USPs, whilst avoiding entering the market on the basis of price."
The report provides five year regional forecasts for WiMAX 802.16e as a 'local loop' technology, providing data on subscribers, service revenues and devices as well as detailed deployment tables and case studies. Juniper Research interviewed senior executives across a wide range of vendors and operators.
Whitepapers and further details of the study "Fixed WiMAX: Opportunities for "Last Mile" Broadband Access, 2008-2013" can be freely downloaded from www.juniperresearch.com. [FierceWireless]
Alcatel-Lucent Teams With Quantum on Mobile TV
Alcatel-Lucent and Quantum SpA, the premier supplier of innovative mobile multimedia devices and software, today announced that both companies are setting up a cooperation in the Mobile TV market. The objective of this cooperation is to develop terrestrial or hybrid (terrestrial and satellite) mobile broadcast solutions adhering to the new DVB-SH mobile broadcast standard. This cooperation will allow both companies to develop new mobile TV business opportunities related to mobile TV access worldwide on Portable Multimedia Players (PMP), and Automotive digital set up boxes.
DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds) is an evolution of DVB-H and a powerful mobile broadcast standard allowing cost-effective mobile TV deployments. It can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L band and S band, in terrestrial, satellite or hybrid networks. The DVB-SH standard was approved by theDVB Project in February 2007 and by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in March 2008.
"Quantum is dedicated to the future of Mobile TV and seamless multimedia mobility," declared Stefano Martini, CEO of Quantum SpA. "Leveraging the power of the open DVB-SH mobile broadcast standard, our new cooperation with Alcatel-Lucent for mass market Mobile TV will allow us to further extend our global leadership in Pay TV digital set-top boxes for the automotive industry, Pocket TV Portable Media Players and the software that brings together unique applications through the convergence of Mobile TV, the internet and location based technologies into a singlepersonal device."
"In-car multimedia entertainment, portable devices with larger screens and navigation services are key drivers to accelerate the advent of mass market mobile TV, by providing end-users with a mobile TV experience that complements their traditional TV experience," added Olivier Coste, Chairman of Alcatel-Lucent's mobile broadcast activities. "It is important to have more partners joining the DVB-SH industrial ecosystem. Teaming up for DVB-SH with an innovative player such as Quantum SpA, which already has an extended knowledge of an early adopter broadcast mobile TV market such as Italy, will strengthen the reach of our Unlimited Mobile TV solution towards the mass market worldwide." [FierceMobileContent]
DISH Network Trialing DVB-SH Mobile TV Standard
Direct broadcast satellite service provider DISH Network announced it will launch a DVB-SH mobile broadcast trial in the U.S., with vendor giant Alcatel Lucent providing the appropriate equipment, test tools and training.
DISH Network will conduct the mobile TV trial between May and August in its Atlanta laboratories, stating its ultimate objective is to validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard, which can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L band and S band, as well as in terrestrial, satellite and hybrid networks.
"DVB-SH is today the most powerful mobile broadcast open standard leveraging the DVB-H ecosystem and enabling an efficient delivery of TV services to all mobile devices ranging from handsets to personal multimedia players and in-car units," said AlcaLu's chairman of mobile broadcast activities Olivier Coste in a prepared statement.
Caller ID on TV Continues to Evolve
Not long ago, Cablevision Systems announced that it had sent 1 billion caller ID messages to the TV screens of customer with the company's TV and VoIP service. Caller ID over the TV has long been held up as an example of next-generation telephony/TV convergence, long enough that the novelty of the application should have worn off by now.
But, the truth is that there are plenty of cable TV companies and telcos that do not offer this application. While it has been a hit for Cablevision, the only other service providers who usually tout it are the independent telcos several of whom have used the TV-based caller ID offering of vendor Integra5.
Now, Integra5 is looking beyond basic caller ID for the TV to a multi-device convergent offering, and has signed up Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, a carrier serving its namesake regions in Texas and Oklahoma. [FierceIPTV]
NextWave Introduces Mobile TV Platform for WiMAX
NextWave Wireless introduced MXtv, a mobile multicast and broadcast technology for WiMAX operators. The technology will enable operators to deliver a range of multimedia services, including mobile TV, interactive media and digital audio without having to invest in new spectrum or extra radio access network equipment, NextWave said.
MXtv is a similar proposition to NextWave's UMTS MBMS-based TDtv. The company has gained traction of late for that technology, signing on Orange and T-Mobile to a six-month pilot in the London area. The technology proposes to reduce mobile broadcast costs by means of shared, unpaired 3G spectrum and a standards-based TDtv network. NextWave has this capability from its acquisition of IP Wireless last year.
Supporting 30 fps QVGA and WQVGA content, MXtv technology provides up to 45 high-quality mobile TV channels in 10 MHz with rapid channel switching times of under two seconds, and offers network operators the ability to dynamically allocate spectrum based on content availability, time-of-day requirements, user demand, and the availability of 'must see' live events such as sports, concerts, interactive reality shows or emergency broadcasts, NextWave said.
"This gives WiMAX networks a solution that not only delivers mobile TV, but a whole range of multimedia services and targeted advertising," Jon Hambidge, chief marketing officer with NextWave's network product division, told FierceBroadbandWireless. "Most WiMAX operators are approaching the market with an access business case, competing with DSL and cable operators ... But WiMAX operators can add a layer of revenue to that business case by adding a multimedia component."
Separately, NextWave announced a joint development agreement with Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies that calls for the vendor to deliver the integrated MXtv technology into its WiMAX solutions. [FierceBroadbandWireless]
SlingPlayer Coming to iPhone?
According to buzz generated at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, content placeshifting technology developer Sling Media is poised to launch its SlingPlayer Mobile software via Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch.
SlingPlayer Mobile enables consumers to view their home television via Internet-connected devices and mobile platforms including Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Symbian OS and BlackBerry -- ElectricPig.tv attributes the Apple scoop to "an extremely senior source at Sling," who said "iPhone and iPod touch are OS X devices, and we can write OS X apps with our eyes closed. It's coming."
The same Sling executive said the iPod touch may offer a better fit for SlingPlayer than the iPhone thanks to its exclusive WiFi connection, admitting to concerns that AT&T's EDGE lacks the network speed to stream TV at an acceptable level of quality. "We know the 3G iPhone's coming, so that'll obviously be better," the Sling exec said. "But for now the iPod touch could end up being the best way to use SlingPlayer."
The Sling Media/Apple rumors date back as far as last spring's National Association of Broadcasters conference, when reports surfaced that the companies were in discussion to stream iTunes music and video to the then-forthcoming iPhone.
Related article:
Slingbox coming to BlackBerry platform.
Ericsson to Supply Mobile TV Solution to Cellcom
Ericsson has signed a contract with leading Israeli mobile operator Cellcom Israel to provide an end-to-end mobile TV and video solution to enable Cellcom Israel's subscribers to enjoy a true TV experience, including access to live TV channels and video-on-demand (VoD) content.
Under the agreement, Ericsson will be the sole supplier of a mobile TV platform supporting rich media clients, a content management system and support systems for operation and customer care units. Rollout has started in December 2007, with commercial launch due during 2008.
Ericsson's cutting edge mobile TV solution will provide users with a customized TV experience offering access to fast channel switching, an easy-to-use navigation menu and more advanced features.
Ericsson's Mobile TV and Video solution leverages the existing cellular network to allow operators to capitalize on existing network infrastructure investments. The flexible and scalable solution can also accommodate broadcast technologies such as Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service, as they become available.
Nahum Hai, Director of Advanced Services Department at Cellcom Israel, says: "This move reaffirms Cellcom Israel's leading position in the Israeli market. By partnering with Ericsson, Cellcom Israel can offer easy access to a personalized, world-class mobile TV experience."
Mats Bosrup, President and CEO of Ericsson Israel, says: "Mobile TV is going from strength to strength as operators expand and leverage their networks. Ericsson's mobile TV solution will enable Cellcom Israel to offer sophisticated new services while tapping into new revenue opportunities." /PR
Samsung MobiTV to Launch New Mobile TV Standard A-VSB
Digital broadcast service provider MobiTV, electronics firms Samsung and Rohde & Schwarz, communications solutions provider Nokia Siemens Networks and satellite communications company SES Americom jointly announced the launch of a new mobile television solution utilizing local broadcast TV spectrum.
The platform, scheduled for live demonstration at this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, will deliver local and national programming as well as interactive applications to mobile devices "in-band" -- i.e., on local stations' transmitters and spectrum -- via Advanced Vestigial Sideband (A-VSB), a Samsung-developed, backward-compatible enhancement of the existing U.S. digital TV broadcasting system, and is based on open standard specifications defined by the Open Mobile Alliance BCAST 1.0, a globally interoperable mobile TV service layer specification suite.
The firms in question said they will announce A-VSB consumer trials later this year, with a commercial rollout planned for 2009. A-VSB is currently under consideration by the international broadcasting standards organization Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) as an open standard for mobile broadcast TV.
"We see A-VSB as complementary, not competitive, to wireless services," said MobiTV's director of strategic alliances Alan Moskowitz in a prepared statement. "By relying on existing TV spectrum to deliver bandwidth-intensive video to mobile devices, wireless service providers have a new option for providing TV to their subscribers. In addition, MobiTV's interactive application and VOD delivery platform will enable a new class of services combining broadcast TV and mobile data networks."
“As the inventor of A-VSB, Samsung is proud to have shown the way forward to empower U.S. local TV stations for mobile broadcasting,” said John Godfrey, Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, Samsung Electronics. “Since proposing A-VSB to the ATSC in 2005, we have never wavered in our commitment to set an open standard for the benefit of broadcasters, manufacturers, and consumers. The all-star team announced today will enable mobile broadcast TV to reach American consumers sooner and at less cost than anyone dreamed possible only a short time ago.”
“The success of any new technology depends on the level of interoperability between suppliers and the ease-of-use for consumers. Using open standards is a catalyst for rapid adoption of new technologies,” said Harald Braun, Head of Convergence Business Team, Nokia Siemens Networks. “Nokia Siemens Networks will deliver an open standards- and OMA BCAST-compliant service platform for mobile broadcast TV as part of the cooperative demonstration to enable a high quality end-user experience.” [FierceMobileContent/FierceWireless]
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MobiTV Goes Live on BlackBerry
Digital entertainment services provider MobiTV announced its mobile TV application is now available via Research In Motion's BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone, heralding mobile television's official debut on the BlackBerry platform. According to MobiTV, the service is now available on more than 250 devices across 20 wireless operators worldwide.
MobiTV, Inc., the leader in mobile and broadband entertainment services today announced the availability of its mobile television application on the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM). The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 runs on CDMA and high-speed EV-DO networks, enabling MobiTV to provide the broadest selection of live TV and other video and music content for mobile users.
"We are excited to offer our award-winning mobile television service to BlackBerry customers on the BlackBerry Pearl 8130," said Paul Scanlan, president and co-founder of MobiTV. "This announcement furthers our goal of providing our innovative services to mobile users around the world, making our television and radio products available on more than 250 different mobile devices."
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 is an impressive communications and multimedia Smartphone. The availability of the MobiTV and its while-labeled products marks the first time that a full mobile TV application has been available on a BlackBerry device.
MobiTV, the mobile television solution that powers Sprint TV for Sprint and Axcess TV for Alltel, is the only mobile television application equipped to run on any wireless network, over any operating system, for more than 20 wireless providers, worldwide. Blackberry 8130 users can purchase MobiTV through their wireless provider, by visiting www.handango.com, or by selecting their device at www.mobitv.com and completing a purchase through the Handango shopping cart.
"MobiTV consistently appears in our best sellers list in the quarterly Handango Yardstick, and the application has earned numerous honors from Handango for quality and innovation," said Monica Hamilton, vice president of content at Handango. "We look forward to seeing improved sales results now that we are able to offer this product to BlackBerry users." [FierceWireless/FierceMobileContent]
Motorola Introduces 2.5 GHz WiMAX CPE
Motorola unveiled WiMAX customer premise equipment (CPE) before the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off this week in Las Vegas. Motorola's new CEPi 100 is a single data port WiMAX modem that operates in the 2.5 GHz band.
The modem is designed to sit on a desktop and is the smallest CPE WiMAX-based CPE device the vendor has launched to date. The CPE unit will be available later this year and of course will be compatible with Sprint's and Clearwire's WiMAX networks.
Motorola is planning a drive demo of WiMAX around Las Vegas. Motorola has already demonstrated hand-offs between WiMAX base stations at 50 miles per hour in Chicago.
The new CPEi100 is a single data port, 2.5 GHz, (CPEi300 and CPEi800 with 4 ethernet port and WiFi) WiMax modem designed to sit on a desktop and serve as the interface between a PC and the WiMax network. Motorola has already introduced a number of mobile WiMax CPE units under its MOTOwi4 brand, but this is the smallest yet.
The device, available later this year, will be compatible with the Sprint Nextel Corp. XOHM service and the Clearwire LLC WiMax offering. Motorola has supply deals with both operators and has been working with Sprint on the "soft launch" of a wireless site in Chicago. (See Sprint Launches WiMax Sites.)
“Performance and ease-of-use are essential to motivate consumers to upgrade to higher performance wireless broadband technologies, “said Fred Wright, Motorola senior vice president, Cellular Networks and Broadband.
“The CPEi 100 provides that experience and enables WiMAX operators to offer a home device that consumers can install and setup in only a matter of minutes.”
Motorola’s wi4 WiMAX solutions are designed to support fixed, portable, nomadic and mobile applications. The WiMAX access points, CPEs and mobile WiMAX chipsets under development for use in Motorola’s devices are part of the MOTOwi4 portfolio of solutions that complement and complete wireless broadband networks
The networking firm is looking beyond the U.S., however. Motorola says it has 15 WiMax contracts and more than 57 WiMax engagements in 38 countries worldwide, including 44 active trials.
Motorola is also introducing a wireless mobile TV gadget that supports the live broadcast of programs using the DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) standard. DVB-H is popular among a number of European carriers and is being tested in several Asian markets.
The DH01 has a 4.3-inch video screen and enough battery life for four hours of playback. Viewers can add memory cards to store 90 minutes of video and pause live TV for up to five minutes. [FierceDeveloper/FierceBroadbandWireless/Unstrung]
Motorola to Launch Mobile TV Solution, Device
Motorola announced it will introduce its new DVB-H-compatible Mobile TV DH01 device and mobile TV broadcast solutions portfolio in conjunction with next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The DH01 is a pocket-sized personal media player supporting live TV, on-demand clips and programs saved on a digital video recorder (DVR) -- the non-proprietary platform supports the DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) broadcasting standard in addition to open standards interfaces across devices, networks and application service platforms.
The device's 4.3 inch-wide screen supports up to 16 million colors; additional features include a five-minute memory buffer for pause during live TV viewing. The DH01 is part of a full-scale, standards-based mobile TV solution that according to Motorola also includes network infrastructure (DVB-H transmission network equipment, video head-end center equipment, interactive application services delivery platform) as well as tools enabling operators to design, deploy and optimize their networks and application services.
The Motorola Mobile TV DH01 media player represents the natural extension of Motorola’s leadership in video and mobility solutions into mobile TV. The device is well positioned to drive lifestyle changes by enhancing consumers’ choice, convenience and control over their personal media experiences. For service providers and broadcasters, Motorola’s end-to-end mobile TV solution enables differentiation and attractive new revenue opportunities.
“Mobile TV is expected to grow significantly in 2008 and beyond and Motorola is in a unique position to mobilize the TV experience to deliver broadcast and personalized content wherever and whenever consumers want,” said Navin Mehta, vice president of Mobile TV and Applications Services for Motorola. “The Motorola Mobile TV DH01 is the ultimate personal media player – it allows consumers to enjoy their viewing experience at their convenience. In other words the entertainment experience is changing from ‘broadcast time’ to ‘my time’.”
For broadcasters, the Motorola Mobile TV DH01 represents an attractive proposition. They benefit from expanded viewing figures by extending their services to a new distribution channel of mobile viewers, and by offering greater reach for advertisers. For service providers, Motorola’s Mobile TV enables differentiated service offerings with interactive service capabilities to drive ARPU (Average Revenue Per Unit) and customer loyalty. [FierceWireless]
Apple TV Leads a Struggling Breed of Retail Based Internet Video Devices
A new breed of retail-based Internet video delivery devices has emerged over the past few years, the most notable being Apple TV. However ABI Research notes that these devices have had difficulty resonating with consumers, largely due to their higher prices and competition from legacy set-top boxes, as well as confusion over the benefits they will ultimately bring to the buyer. Overall, ABI Research believes that this new breed of devices will see shipments of 1.2 million in 2008.
“Since this category first emerged in 2004-2005 with the debut of Akimbo’s public Internet VOD product, vendors of these products have struggled with a number of hurdles that have so far made this market relatively unsuccessful,” says research director Michael Wolf. “The high cost of these devices, their reliance on the home network, the need for consumer self-installation, and the scarcity of content have all contributed to their lack of commercial success.”
Nonetheless ABI Research believes that two factors offer new hope for these devices. While early examples lacked significant amounts of content, new models such as Vudu’s video device have significant libraries, including high definition movies. Additionally, consumers’ growing hunger for both user-generated and professionally produced content on the Internet could create greater demand for these new devices.
“This market will continue to be challenged by traditional set-top boxes, which are incorporating more VOD and public Internet delivery features, and by the emergence of VOD services on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and those such as the TiVo/Amazon Unbox offering,” adds Wolf.
“However, we believe that there is a possibility of a break-out success among these new entrants if they can create compelling content offerings, make consumer installation and management incredibly easy, and offer both the hardware and content at compelling pricing. We believe one way to achieve this is by incorporating some premium content using advertising support”. [ABI Research]
3 Italia, Alcatel-Lucent, RAI Team on First DVB-SH Mobile TV Trial in Italy
First DVB-SH Broadcast Mobile TV Trial in the World Blending Mobile and Broadcast Networks. The mobile operator 3 Italia, Alcatel-Lucent, and Italian public broadcaster RAI are launching the first trial of Mobile TV based on the DVB-SH standard in Italy. DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds) is an evolution of DVB-H, which is providing higher spectrum efficiency and allows integration with hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks.
The trial, based on Alcatel-Lucent's Unlimited Mobile TV solution, uses for the first time in the world a multi-layer DVB-SH terrestrial network blending low-power transmitters from a mobile operator and medium-power transmitters from a broadcaster.
The trial will take place in Torino and it will be overseen by RAI Technological Strategies Dept., Raiway SpA and RAI Research and Technology Innovation Centre, providing their three-year-old experience in mobile-TV field tests. Cellular sites provided by 3 Italia will allow the indoor coverage of Torino's downtown, while broadcast towers provided by RAI and Raiway will allow outdoor and vehicular coverage of the entire town of Torino.
Alcatel-Lucent will provide the DVB-SH equipment, the network planning, the network integration and the technical support required for the good execution of the trial. Alcatel-Lucent's DVB-SH low-power repeaters will be co-localized with the live UMTS sites of 3 Italia and connected to the UMTS antennas.
The first phase of this trial, taking place from December 2007 to March 2008, will consist in a technology trial to validate the capability of DVB-SH to make available a large number of high-quality mobile TV channels, in various usage conditions. The several innovative technical characteristics of the DVB-SH will be evaluated during this trial, which in this first phase of the trial will be only terrestrial.
In a second phase of this trial, the broadcast signal from a satellite will be emulated by a transmitter located in a high-altitude helicopter; in order to study a real business situation, a sample panel of customers will be provided with commercial DVB-SH handsets. In a longer term perspective, tests with satellites in operation will be carried out in cooperation with a major satellite operator.
It is expected that this trial will allow demonstrating the improved reception quality made possible by the DVB-SH standard, thanks in particular to improved radio performances for mobile reception (such as the time interleaver and as the reception antenna diversity) related to the use of the S-Band, in particular for indoor and particularly critical outdoor reception environments.
Claudio Cappon, General Director of RAI, declared: "RAI, as part of its public service remit, is interested to deliver to the Italian audience high-quality mobile TV contents, based on various technologies. In this perspective, it is our responsibility to permanently investigate new technologies, such as DVB-SH, in order to optimize the cost-efficiency of our broadcast services distribution to a constantly growing audience."
Olivier Coste, Chairman of Alcatel-Lucent's mobile broadcast activities declared: "For the first time in the industry, a broadcast mobile TV trial will showcase a network capable to satisfy the service needs of both mobile operators and broadcasters, spanning indoor, outdoor and in-car mobile TV usage.
We are particularly excited by this unique partnership with 3 Italia and RAI that will allow us to demonstrate the advantages for the Italian audience of Alcatel-Lucent's Unlimited Mobile TV solution based on the DVB-SH standard." The S-Band spectrum (2.17-2.20 GHz) is available throughout Europe and can be used to deploy across the whole continent mobile satellite services such as Mobile TV.
On February 14, 2007, the European Commission issued a Decision on the harmonized use of this spectrum at the EU level, and on August 22, 2007, the Commission adopted a proposal to select systems for mobile satellite services. If adopted by the European Parliament and the EU Council, this new selection mechanism will allow, from 2009, the deployment of innovative services such as Mobile TV based on DVB-SH. [ABI Research]
Wireless Innovation Alliance Formed to Push White-space Services
A coalition of technology companies, public-interest advocates, think tanks and higher education organizations launched an alliance - Wireless Innovation Alliance (WIA) - designed to work with the Federal Communications Commission and other policymakers to develop regulations that will enable the use of television "white space" for broadband services. White space is the unused spectrum that sits between airwaves licensed to television broadcasters.
The Wireless Innovation Alliance's 15 members include Google, Microsoft, HP and Dell. Those are the same names that have been involved with the While Space Coalition, which earlier this year delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices the group claimed operated in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology found through preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones."
Last week the coalition delivered to the FCC a WiFi device that the group says can operate in this unlicensed spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. The prototype, built by Microsoft, will undergo months of testing. The FCC received more than 700 comments on whether it should allow personal and portable devices in this potentially unlicensed white space. Many comments came from licensed spectrum holders such as broadcasters, cable operators and mobile operators who opposed the idea because of interference concerns -- or more like competitive concerns.
"Our effort is about seizing a golden technological opportunity to deploy robust broadband, spur innovation, and maintain America's leadership in the global innovation economy," said Rhett Dawson, CEO, Information Technology Industry Coalition. "We all firmly believe that the FCC's liberation of vacant spectrum will promote greater broadband connectivity and foster the development of innovative new wireless devices and technologies for all Americans."
Google recently presented results of an "initial phase of ongoing trials" around white space technology it says demonstrates digital televisions and wireless services can exist side-by-side without interference. [FierceBroadbandWireless]
Philippines Cable Operators Battle Mobile TV
Philippines regulators have ordered Philippine Long Distance Telephone and its subsidiaries Smart Communications and MediaQuest Holdings to justify its myTV mobile television service in the face of opposition from cable providers. About 300 local operators are petitioning the National Telecommunications Commission to pull the plug on PLDT's mobile broadcast initiative, claiming the service is anti-competitive and infringes on their broadcast permits.
"Under the existing rules and guidelines, only cable television companies are allowed to engage in the provisioning of pay TV," said Philippine Cable Television Association president Alan Dungao.
Smart Communications launched myTV in March; the test broadcast issued by the NTC for the trial expired October 15. In a two-page order, NTC announced a hearing for next month to allow PLDT to explain its side of the controversy. [FierceMobileContent]
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