M O B I L E T V
Second wind for Free-to-air
many markets,” argues the report author Dr
DVB-H? showstopper? Windsor Holden.
While it is true that DVB-H has While the EC is moving to beef up its
experienced mixed fortunes of late, 3 DVB-H initiative, the idea is taking root The Juniper report reasons that operator
Italia’s service, launched in 2006 and that dedicated mobile TV networks such decisions to offer DVB-T handsets in
understood to have over 850,000 users in as those employing DVB-H, along with Germany has effectively closed the door for
October, is surely a major success story. the cell phone operators that run them, DVB-H in that market, and argues that the
are in for a rough ride from an earnings strong take-up of analogue TV handsets in
New DVB-H licences continue to be perspective. China – and of One-Seg handsets in Japan
issued and trials undertaken. In October – indicates that free-to-air services will
in Poland, for example, The President A recent report from Juniper Research continue to predominate.
of Office of Electronic Communications suggests that the increasing availability
(UKE) announced a ‘beauty contest’ for of mobile handsets capable of receiving Other findings from the Juniper report
an exclusive frequency licence, including free-to-air analogue and digital terrestrial include:
radio channels of 8 MHz bandwidth, in TV signals will adversely impact the · in terms of end-user revenues,
the 470 to 790 MHz band intended for prospects for dedicated mobile broadcast the USA will be the largest single
provision of audiovisual media services TV networks. market for mobile broadcast
including broadcasting radio or television TV services in 2013, followed
programmes all over the country, using Supporters of this view of how the mobile by South Korea and China
DVB-H technology. The UKE said the TV market will pan out could perhaps, as · MediaFLO™ services are likely
winner of the beauty contest would be an indication of how the wind was blowing, to be deployed in parts of Asia
authorised to use an exclusive frequency point to the August announcement that and in the UK by the end of 2010
licence until 31 May 2015 in 31 cities in three Norwegian broadcasters – NRK, TV
the Republic of Poland and from 1 June 2 and MTG – were forming a company
Bigger picture
2015 until 31 December 2023 all over the - Norsk mobil-TV (NMTV) – to offer
The appeal of free-to-air, as evidenced
country. free-to-air mobile TV services starting
by the relative success of mobile TV in
in Oslo this winter with nine on-demand
markets such as China, Japan and South
Other additional countries reported in 2008 channels. Widely reported at the time were
Korea, is undeniable.
to be setting off down, or at least exploring, the remarks of Gunnar Garfors, director of
the DVB-H trail have included Belgium, developments at NRK, to the effect that the However, free-to-air and paid-for
Iraq, Ireland, Singapore, venture was not about mobile phone TV but aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.
‘real mobile TV’ able to be received on a Interestingly 3 Italia this year added
Meantime, EC Commissioner for the variety of devices. free TV and Internet to its subscription
Information Society and Media Viviane mobile TV offer as part of its ‘cross-
Reding, one of the chief cheerleaders
The Juniper report, 'Mobile TV:
media’ strategy.
for Europe’s adherence to DVB-H, is
Opportunities for Streamed & Broadcast
aiming to get progress towards its regional
Services, 2008-2013 (Fourth Edition)’,
There may also be, for example, a
implementation back on track. In November
says that while more than 330 million
leader-follower relationship in some
in an interview on the
EurActiv.com website
mobile users worldwide will own broadcast
markets. This is frequently the view
the redoubtable Reding said that a new EC
TV-enabled handsets by 2013, less than
expressed by Telegent Systems, a CMOS
Communication was under way in order to
14% will opt for mobile pay TV services.
semiconductor company providing
nail down the rules under which mobile TV
And although mobile broadcast TV will
single-chip solutions for both free-to-air
should be launched. “I will present it within a
generate global annual end-user revenues
and pay-per-view mobile TV in mobile
few weeks,” Reding told
Eurativ.com. “There
of US$2.7 billion by 2013, this level is
handsets.
has too often been opposition between
markedly lower than previously forecast.
content providers and service providers. It “Free mobile TV doesn’t cannibalise the
has to be very clear what the rules are. That is opportunity to earn revenue from paid
what we are working on now.” “The development of terrestrial TV-capable for services, it enhances it,” contends
receivers with comparatively low power Telegent ceo and president Weijie Yun.
And, incidentally, squabbles between consumption, and the availability of these “It gets consumers used to watching TV
operators and content providers are thought receivers in mass market handsets, throws on mobile devices and opens the door
to be behind the delays to the French DVB- into question the business case for the to tiered services – the same model as
H mobile TV roll-out. deployment of a dedicated network in mainstream broadcast television.”
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