Reuters reports Asia as number one market for mobile TV although problems remain

Asia is expected to be the place for mobile television implementation, although wireless executives still ponder writing large checks to develop the service, according to a Reuters article.

As part of its reporting at BroadcastAsia in Singapore, Reuters says "Asia is set to overtake Europe's early lead in adopting mobile television broadcasting as Europe struggles to find available airwaves for broadcasts...."  Peter MacAvock, the executive director of the digital TV and data trade organization DVB Project, says in the article, "The appetite for mobile phone based content is higher here than anywhere else."

Reuters notes that cellular operators hope subscribers will pony up five euros - ten euros ($7 - $13) per month for mobile TV.  However, the article says mobile TV develop is being hindered by different standards and business models.

MacAvock says, "Everybody thinks mobile TV is a great idea, but when it's time to get out the cheque book everyone starts to look at each other."

Issues of standards

Chris Lee, the head of marketing for Asia Pacific for Sony Ericsson says, "That standard issue needs to sort itself out first."  Reuters notes that DVB-H is the popular mobile TV protocol internationally.  It says other standards are promoted in other countries.

Of course, Qualcomm is promoting its MediFLO protocol that already is being used by Verizon Wireless for its V Cast Mobile TV service in a few dozen cities in the United States.  AT&T (aka Cingular) is expected to offer MediaFLO in the U.S. by the end of this year.

Three European countries offer mobile TV and because the availability of spectrum isn't a problem in Asia, according to Reuters, commercial DVB-H systems have begun in India and Vietnam with networks in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia slated to offer service this year.