AT&T to launch MediaFlo based live mobile TV services in summer

AT&T, the largest US mobile network operator, plans to come up with mobile TV service in May.

AT&T said it would offer MediaFlo based mobile TV services in USA to users of the Vu phone from LG Electronics Inc and the Access from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

AT&T Mobile TV with FLO will feature full-length and sports content from MTV Networks’ Comedy Central and Nickelodeon, NBC, CBS, ESPN and Fox and plans two exclusive channels which are yet not disclosed.

FLO TV has been available on select Verizon Wireless handsets for over a year.

Spokesman Mark Siegel said AT&T waited until May to offer the service as it was “a brand new service on a brand new network, and two brand new devices.” The company plans to reveal it’s pricing at the time of its service launch.

MediaFlo in USA is the equivalent of the DVB-H standard in Europe

Thomson committed to joined-up services across multiple networks

Thomson highlighted its unified approach to content management and delivery across multiple platforms at IPTV World Forum 2008, outlining plans to converge its SmartVision service delivery platform for IPTV with the SmartVision platform for mobile TV.

The result will be a common management and distribution solution for linear video over 3G cellular networks, VOD over 3G, DVB-H broadcast TV (mobile), and both linear and on-demand video over DSL. According to Thierry Boudard, who is responsible for strategy marketing and innovation for service platforms at Thomson, the system will enable network operators to provide the same VOD offer through 3G and DSL and provide cross-platform continuity of service. "Subscribers can watch a movie trailer on the mobile phone and order the movie to watch on the phone or television," he explains, as an example. Ideal for telcos with fixed and mobile services, this also opens up new business model opportunities including tiered movie rental prices to cover mobile, television or both.

Thomson also announced a push-VOD solution as part of the SmartVision software platform and this is also designed to help operators provide a joined-up service using different access networks. New SmartVision modules will enable satellite and digital terrestrial platforms to download on-demand content into PVRs even without a return path connection. Where they do have access to broadband, they can use the IP pipe to augment this VOD delivery. Typically, the broadcast spectrum might be used for hit movies or TV shows, and the IP connection for long-tail content. The system supports real-time or progressive download.

Motorola Brings the Power of Touch to Mobile TV Device : DH02

Motorola, Inc. today unveiled the latest addition to its Mobile TV devices portfolio -- the Mobile TV DH02 -- a personalized TV, multimedia entertainment on the go and navigation device featuring a touch screen user interface.

Building on the Mobile TV DH01 introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show and the Mobile TV DH01n introduced at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the Mobile TV DH02 demonstrates Motorola's ongoing commitment to enabling media mobility and accelerating personal media experiences. The new device features a touch screen user interface with intuitive click, drag and scroll icon-based menus. The inclusion of HSDPA/GPRS back channel support gives MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) the potential to offer rich interactive services to their customer base.

Motorola DH 01

"Today's consumers want to view TV at their convenience on devices that satisfy the entertainment experience with an easy to use interface -- and Motorola is delivering on this personalized mobile video and media experience with our end-to-end portfolio of mobile TV/Video solutions," said Navin Mehta, vice president, Mobile TV and Applications Services, Motorola. "With our rich legacy and experience in broadcast RF design, video delivery, mobility, services and devices that enable the multimedia experience, Motorola is uniquely positioned to enable a seamless mobile TV/Video solution that delivers a rich consumer media experience, and provides revenue generating opportunities for broadcasters, content owners and mobile network operators."

An all-in-one personal entertainment and navigation device, the Mobile TV DH02 delivers mobile entertainment in your pocket. Additional features of DH02 include:

-- Live DVB-H TV with PVR capabilities

-- timeshift, live pause, frame grabbing

-- Advanced navigation capabilities with GPS and Tele Atlas map views, points of interest and voice-activated directions, and handsfree calls to points of interest.

-- Convenient automatic channel scan and listing

-- High resolution WQVGA display

-- Stunning digital video quality @ 25 fps

-- Personal content like video, music and pictures on microSD cards

-- Five-minute memory buffer for live pause and time shift of TV channels

-- Points of Interest with voice assisted guidance, real-time traffic information and speed alerts

-- E-call (Emergency Calls) and SMS support

-- Bluetooth and earphones

-- Portrait and landscape auto-flip

-- use portrait view for navigation and POI calls, and landscape for mobile TV and personal media entertainment

Motorola's standards-based mobile TV solutions include network infrastructure (DVB-H transmission network equipment, video headend center equipment, interactive application services delivery platform), services (to design, deploy and optimize the network in addition to application services); and the devices themselves.

For broadcasters, the Motorola mobile TV solution represents expanded viewing figures, extended services in the new distribution channel of mobile viewers, and greater reach for advertisers. For MNOs, Motorola's mobile TV solution enables differentiated service offerings with interactive service capabilities to increase consumer revenue and loyalty.

Namibia takes the lead in mobile television

MTC Namibia and MultiChoice Namibia announced on 18 March 2008 the launch of one of the world's most eagerly anticipated new consumer technologies - mobile television.This launch puts Namibia at the front of the digital technology race in Africa and highlights the progressive stance that the Namibian Communication Commission (NCC) is taking in the roll-out of new technologies in the country.

MultiChoice Namibia switched on its mobile television network today using the Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld (DVB-H) technology standard. DVB-H is regarded as the world's leading mobile broadcast technology standard and allows for the digital terrestrial broadcast of live television channels to a mobile phone.

Consumers in Namibia will be able to receive a specially compiled package of DStv channels on their mobile phones that includes popular channels such as CNN, Big Brother Africa, NBC and top-level sport from around the world.Worldwide research indicates there is genuine consumer desire for superior quality video and audio content that offers information, as well as entertainment, anywhere, anytime - and mobile TV is a very natural progression from TV in the lounge.

Industry analysts predict that by 2010 up to 150 million people worldwide will be regular users of mobile broadcast services.MultiChoice Namibia General Manager, Kobus Bezuidenhout, said: "We are very excited that Namibia becomes one of the first countries in Africa to roll-out mobile television services. With our partners MTC we will ensure that Namibians have early access to global innovations in the industry."Albertus Aochamub, General Manager: Corporate Affairs of MTC Namibia, adds: "MTC brought mobile telephony to Namibia 13 years ago. We recently introduced mobile broadband through our 3G/HSDPA during December 2006 and we can now proudly participate in a mobile TV offering using our world-class network."DVB-H allows for the digital terrestrial broadcast of live television channels to mobile telephones.

It differs from third-generation (3G) mobile telephony in that DVB-H is a one-to-many transmission on a linear basis and uses broadcasting infrastructure, while 3G uses telephony infrastructure that delivers point-to-point services. DVB-H therefore uses scarce bandwidth much more effectively than 3G technologies. 3G and DVB-H can, however, be complementary, especially in the provision of return path service for live television (ie, voting from big Brother, etc) or similar services.

MultiChoice Namibia chose the DVB-H standard because it improves robustness in the very difficult reception environments of indoor and outdoor and lowers battery power consumption in mobile phones.In order to receive the DStv-Mobile service, Namibian consumers will have to acquire a mobile phone that is specially configured to receive DVB-H broadcasts and is programmed for this purpose in Namibia. DVB-H configured cellular telephones will be made available to consumers through MTC.

Gigabyte GSmart MS808 3G Windows Mobile 6.1 handset coming Q2 08

Looking at the Gigabyte GSmart MS808 handset which is a 3G Windows Mobile 6.1 one at that seems to be pretty nice, but has it got what it takes to hit the mobile phone market with an impact?

The GSmart MS808 3G Windows Mobile 6.1 mobile phone works on the following networks which include GPRS, GSM850/900/1800/1900, EDGE, WCDMA 2100, and HSDPA, some of the features this phone has include Marvell PXA310 CPU, DVB-T/DVB-H/T-DMB/DMB, and ISDB plus 2.8 inch VGA touch-screen, 3 megapixel camera with auto-focus, digital TV/radio support, 116 x 60 x 14.1mm and WiFi.

So far and going by the above we say this could be a great contender, the Gigabyte GSmart MS808 will be available sometime Q2 08.

GlobeCast Shows Broadcasters Their Options At NAB 2008

GlobeCast, will be demonstrating the latest trends in international broadcast at NAB 2008. Media Management, multiplatform solutions, HD, IPTV, Mobile TV and more will all be in the spotlight.

GlobeCast Media Management

Broadcasters are becoming increasingly focused on content creation and looking to outsource their content management. In response, GlobeCast has added media management to its service offering and Arsenal TV in the UK and Ion Media Networks in the US are just the latest broadcasters to sign up. Operated from technical operations centers in central London and Sunrise, Florida, GlobeCast Media Management offers full playout, disaster recovery, program substitution and more, under one roof.

Mobile TV

With standards developing for the next generation of mobile television, GlobeCast has been building partnerships for DVB-H experimentation. In Europe, the company already operates a 3G headend and delivers more than 100 live channels to Orange. In the U.S. GlobeCast delivers, encodes and monitors 30 channels for market leader MobiTV.

IPTV

2008 is the year of IPTV in the U.S. and GlobeCast will be highlighting its role in the development of this emerging medium with a live demonstration at NAB. GlobeCast subsidiary WorldTV recently launched an IPTV platform in Canada with NeuLion to bring multicultural content to new markets, and is also aggregating multinational content for a major U.S. telecom company. GlobeCast has gained its extensive knowledge and experience with IPTV in Europe as Orange’s broadcast partner for Orange TV which has over 1 million subscribers.

India : Mobile TV commercial rollout expected in 2008

The commercial rollout of mobile TV is expected to happen later this year even as Doordarshan is currently running trials with Nokia in Delhi. The government has asked for white papers from different parties on how to take this forward.

This point was made during the Sixth International Conference on Communications Convergence which was organised by IMC.
Speaking on mobile TV, NMIS University’s Chirag Unadkat said DVB-H is emerging as the preferred standard. The challenge for the other players will be in terrestrial spectrum allocation. Will the government be willing to take some spectrum away from DD and give to other players? The spectrum needed for one DD channel can serve 30 mobile channels, said Unadkat.

There is, however, the regulatory issue. Under whose jurisdiction will mobile television come? Is it the broadcaster or the telecom operator? According to Unadkat, telecom companies will play a supporting role in terms of providing things like billing and logistics support.
Another issue is that there are very few handsets in the country that are equipped to support mobile TV. Such a handset costs around Rs 500 more than an average one, Unadkat explained.
According to a survey done by the NMIS University, 36 per cent will use it as a second TV. They are also willing to pay Rs 1000 for such a service.

They are willing to use the mobile to watch television for 75 minutes every day. At the moment though globally no commercial launch has happened. There are several trials going on currently. News, sitcoms and cricket are the genres that are expected to fare well on this medium, Unadkat added.

from http://www.indiantelevision.com/

Etisalat demonstrates DVB-H technology at Cabsat 2008

Etisalat is participating at Cabsat 2008 and will be displaying the DVB-H technology (Digital Video Broadcasting- Handheld), which brings television to mobiles in a much more advanced manner.

Cabsat is the 14th Middle East cable, satellite, broadcast, and communications exhibition being currently held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4th to 6th of March.

Users with DVB-H terminals (handsets) will be able to access advanced features of the broadcast content on their handheld units, and enjoy the full benefits of interactive TV.

This new and advanced technology enables the broadcast of TV channels anywhere through a special TV broadcast instead of depending on internet connection. 'Etisalat's mission is to extend people's reach.

With this service, we are increasing the consumer's access to information and entertainment and highlighting our commitment to delivering relevant and convenient services for our customers through innovation and investment in the latest technologies,' said Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer at Etisalat.

press release

Thomson participates in First DVB-H Mobile Television Service in Latin America

Thomson today announces that it is supplying a complete head-end solution to ATV, part of the pan-Latin American media group Albavision, to power a trial mobile television service in Lima, Peru and in Guatemala. The service, the first of its kind in Latin America, will roll out to the commercial market in June 2008.

The service at present features four live television channels, transmitted using the DVB-H broadcast standard. At the head-end, Thomson ViBE Mobile TV encoders compress the incoming video streams, which are then encapsulated into a single transport stream using the Thomson Opal DVB-H encapsulator. The electronic service guide is also created by Thomson.

“The idea of mobile television is exciting consumers in markets globally” said Patrick Montliaud, General Manager of Thomson’s Network and Integration Solutions business. “The system we have delivered to ATV in Lima allows Albavision to build a market with minimum capital expenditure, knowing that they can expand through additional services, increased functionality and interactivity when they need to.”

“We see Mobile TV broadcasting as an important part of our growth in the future” said Angel Gonzalez, CEO of Albavision. “That is why it was important to get our service in Peru on air as quickly as possible. We knew Thomson as a very reliable supplier which could give us a complete, proven solution, and we are very pleased with the progress so far”. Juan Pablo Alviz, CTO of ATV added “We are examining the possibility of expanding this solution to other countries in Latin America”.