Mobile TV is television service delivered to subscribers via mobile telecommunications networks, such as the mobile phone carriers.
Mobile TV involves bringing TV services to the mobile phones. It combines the services of a mobile phone with television content and represents a logical step both for consumers and operators and content providers. Mobile TV over cellular networks allows viewers to enjoy personalized, interactive TV with content specifically adapted to the mobile medium. The services and viewing experience of mobile TV over cellular networks differs in a variety of ways from traditional TV viewing. In addition to mobility, mobile TV delivers a variety of services including video-on-demand, traditional/linear and live TV programs. Another exciting opportunity for users is Mobile TV pod casts, where content is delivered to a user’s mobile on demand or by subscriptions. Stored locally on the handset, this content can then be viewed even when there’s no network connection. And a service provider can schedule the delivery to “off-peak” hours, for example during the night.
Technically, there are currently two main ways of delivering mobile TV. The first is via a two-way cellular network and the second is through a one-way dedicated broadcast network. These include digital video broadcasting-handheld (DVB-H), digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), TDtv (based on TD-CDMA technology from [IPWireless]), 1seg (based on Japan's ISDB-T), DAB and MediaFLO. None is ideal as all have drawbacks of one kind or another: spectral frequencies used or needed, signal strength required new antennas and towers, network capacity required, or business model.
Mobile TV is already a reality worldwide.
In the US, Sprint cell phone customers have been accessing live broadcast TV since late 2003 and Vodafone live! 3G customers in Germany were able to watch the Tour De France live on Eurosport last summer. TU Media Corp./SK Telecom customers in South Korea have been able to watch seven channels of live Pay TV, delivered via satellite, since May 2005 and a free-to-air terrestrial mobile TV service went live in Seoul late last year. Orange UK and ‘3’ both introduced live television over their 3G networks in the UK during 2005.
Mobile TV is starting to prove itself in the field but even when all current commercial services are considered – and this is not an exhaustive list - it remains a fledgling industry that, despite the marketing buzz and big-name backers, still has the potential to fail. What is generating so much excitement, however, is the possibility of success, boosted by the knowledge that mobile TV subscriptions represent new money for the content, broadcast and mobile industries, with no obvious cannibalisation of existing Pay TV revenues or cellular income. If mobile TV does prove a hit with consumers, then we could be witnessing the birth of a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry.
Mobile TV is starting to prove itself in the field but even when all current commercial services are considered – and this is not an exhaustive list - it remains a fledgling industry that, despite the marketing buzz and big-name backers, still has the potential to fail. What is generating so much excitement, however, is the possibility of success, boosted by the knowledge that mobile TV subscriptions represent new money for the content, broadcast and mobile industries, with no obvious cannibalisation of existing Pay TV revenues or cellular income. If mobile TV does prove a hit with consumers, then we could be witnessing the birth of a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry.
There are mobile TV sceptics, of course. Several analysts and reports have cast doubt on whether consumers are really interested in watching TV on the very small screen. But they are currently being drowned out by the noise of two great industries – mobile telecoms and television – rushing to test delivery and reception technologies, find the right content, establish technology/business partnerships and create viable business models.
Next Generation Mobile TV Excites Consumers.
According to a new study, only 13 to 15% of US customers with experience on mobile TV believed this concept will fly. The remaining 75% remain skeptic.
Despite this rather disappointing response, there is still hope for the "next generation" of Mobile TV services. In that same study, majority of general consumers remain very excited about mobile TV.
