Philippines cellular operator Smart Communications, in conjunction with content aggregator 360Media Corp., have launched the country’s first mobile television service using the DVB-H protocol, according to AHN.
The service, called myTV, will be free through August 2007 and thereafter cost R488 ($10.80) per month extra for prepaid and contract customers. Smart Communications’ press release says channels include CNN, MTV Philippines, Cartoon Network, National Geographic, The History Channel, the Pinoy Box Office movie channel.
Four channels will be tested: Solar Sports, Basketball TV, ECT, Jack TV. In addition, myTV will offer live games of PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) teams.
Smart is selling Nokia’s N92 phone for mobile TV that can be used as a flip phone or in a clamshell configuration (see below). The cellular operator also will sell Nokia’s N77 candybar phone.
Update: July 31 — An article in ZDNet Asia says Smart hopes to obtain 60,000 – 70,000 mobile TV subscribers within a couple of months.
Smart’s cellular rival, Globe Telecom, says it’s still developing its mobile TV plans and won’t discuss them in public.
An article in the Manila Bulletin says myTV doesn’t yet include any local channels but 360Media is negotiating with Philippines TV stations ABS-CBN and GMA-7. The head of Smart’s wireless consumer division says in the article that the cellular operator plans to offer a device that would enable non-DVB-H handsets to receive myTV.
Wow this is absolutely great offer...
-Ava
Posted by: Cellular in Philippine Phone | March 01, 2009 at 07:32 PM
'have any idea if MyTV finally had a local channels like GMA or ABS-CBN? When it'll start airing?
Posted by: Apple | October 17, 2007 at 10:19 PM