Malaysia gets TV on 3G phones
April 28, 2004
Mobile phone users in Malaysia can expect to watch their favourite television programmes on next generation handsets. Maxis Communications, which launched trial of its 3G service in March, will expand its streaming video content on its current GPRS network to its 3G network and take advantage of its higher data rates.
Astro will provide the programmes with clips running at 64Kbps and 24fps (frames per second). The Video Live streaming on Maxis's GPRS network is formatted for 20Kbps and 8fps. TV programmes are converted into either 3GP video format or Real Media format and stream to handsets. The servers automatically detect the phone's requirements and stream the appropriate content.
Andrew Tu, Measat Broadcast Network Systems general manager for multimedia interactive technologies, said over one-third of Maxis subscribers with GPRS-enabled videophones had signed up to the service.
While Tu may not want to watch a feature film on a mobile phone, he would enjoy watching sports videoclips such as his favourite football team playing.
Astro is also looking to offer video streaming on other operator's 3G and EDGE services.
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