Mobile Media Broadcast Services

Network congestion problems is a major reason carriers are launching mobile broadcast services using new moblie media formats such as:

• MediaFLO in the U.S.
• DVB-H or DMB standards in Europe and Asia.

The traditional broadcast ‘one to many’ format over mobile still seems pretty mundane, but it will solve some of the bandwidth scarcity problems.

As will networks like Sprint’s mobile WiMAX or MuniFi networks is that they are still vaporware until rolled out and sufficient handsets and premium content is available.

The real issue will come when video sites such as YouTube solve content issues and and the mobile industry solves the content search problems - carriers will need an effective architecture to manage the bandwidth consumption.

Mobile Broadcast Service Uptake

M:Metrics says in the U.S. about half of cell phone owners have handsets that are capable of viewing video. Worldwide ABI predicts that in 2011, mobile TV services will have some 514 million subscribers, of which 460 million will be subscribers to broadcast services.

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Mobile Broadcast Updates

Jan 2007 - UK - BSkyB Looks At Broadcasting Straight To Mobiles
BSkyB has set its sights on the very small screen with plans to start broadcasting direct to mobile phones, bypassing the existing five mobile phone operators in Britain. The UK's dominant pay-TV operator is considering using technology developed in the United States to beam its most popular programmes on to mobile phones.

Sep 2006 - UK - Major TV Broadcasters Go Mobile
BBC One, ITV1 and Channel 4 are to be broadcast to mobile phones as part of a mobile TV service launched by BT. BT Movio will offer BBC One, ITV1 and E4 live - but with some films, sport and US shows removed from the line-ups. Channel 4 will broadcast a slimmed-down version. The service will be the first to be broadcast via the DAB digital radio network instead of the 3G phone system.

Jun 2006 - UK - ITV Signs Deal For Net Broadcasts
ITV programmes will be available to watch on the internet and on mobile phones for up to a month after they have been shown on TV under a new deal. The broadcaster has followed Channel 4 and BBC in signing a new media rights deal with producers' trade body Pact.