Qualcomm and Teleepoch Enter Into a 3G CDMA Subscriber Unit License Agreement, October 6, 2007

MTN chooses Cambridge Broadband Networks for multi-service wireless network in Rwanda, October 6, 2007

Brazilian government to publish 3G bidding rules soon, October 6, 2007

KTF 3G service suffers from technical problems, October 6, 2007

Argentina’s Personal lunches 3G service in Rosario, October 6, 2007

Russia has it's first 3G network, October 6, 2007

AT&T could drop Alcatel-Lucent as 3G mobile network supplier, October 6, 2007

Enea Extends License Agreement with ZTE for 3G Handsets, October 2, 2007

LG to unveil premium handsets in Brazil, October 2, 2007

KTF 3G subscribers doubled in less than 3 months, October 2, 2007

3G policy in India will be non-uniform, October 2, 2007

- previous news

Mobile TV may not be financially feasible

June 28, 2006

Despite high expectations for mobile TV and radio services, only a small number of broadcasting technology options will be financially viable, according to a new report, Evaluating the Options for Mobile TV and Radio Broadcasting in Western Europe, from Analysys, the global advisers on telecoms, IT and media.

As consumer demand for mobile TV and radio increases and broadcasting services begin to emerge during 2006, there will be strong competitive pressures on mobile operators to respond. However, according to report co-author, Dr Alastair Brydon, "There is a strong chance that mobile users will not spend a substantial amount on mobile TV and radio services, or video-on-demand and other mobile broadcasting services."

Mobile operators in Western Europe are already evaluating several broadcasting technologies, including DAB-IP (Digital Audio Broadcasting - Internet Protocol), T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting), DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) and TDtv, alongside the option of relying on enhanced 3G networks. If they opt for a dedicated broadcasting technology, they must decide whether to build their own networks or to share the cost and risk with other operators and/or broadcasters.

Financial modelling presented in the report reveals that small operators will have a very limited choice of viable options. According to Alastair Brydon, "Sharing a broadcasting network with a number of other mobile operators will be essential. With a shared network, either DAB-IP or DVB-H could yield attractive returns," says Alastair Brydon. While DAB-IP is potentially the cheapest solution, it is only appropriate in those few markets where DAB has been deployed extensively. Furthermore, only a limited range of DAB handsets and broadcast channels may be available. DVB-H is currently attracting the most interest from mobile operators in Western Europe and is the most likely to achieve significant economies of scale on both infrastructure and handsets.

This report evaluates the realistic deployment options for each of the mobile broadcasting technologies that are likely to be used in Western Europe.