AT&T today says it will offer its long-delayed mobile television service, based on Qualcomm’s MediaFLO, in May, according to CNN.
The service, which was supposed to launch last year, will include the eight “standard” MediaFLO channels plus two additional channels, that AT&T isn’t discussing. AT&T will offer at least two mobile TV phones, the LG Vu and the Samsung Access.
AT&T, like Verizon Wireless, which launched MediaFLO service last year, is dependent upon Qualcomm’s network of towers, not existing cellular 3G towers. When AT&T’s service is available, about 55 MediaFLO markets should be available.
The new FLO service will find its competition in the MobiTV service which is also available on the AT&T network using 3G and is priced at $10 a month for the basic package. MobiTV has over 4 million customers across all the carriers it covers. However the broadcast content is expected to bring in a better viewing experience to the users.
In case of Verizon only about 4.6% of the users are reported to have opted for the FLO based Mobile TV service. The usage is expected to grow as the ecosystem of handsets and applications grows. There is a certain inertia for the users to change handsets just to be able to view mobile TV and the launch of iPhone in 2007 did not help in users buying more of FLOTV compatible handsets. MobiTV service on the other hand can be viewed on any phone supporting 3G or GPRS. It also does not help that the iPhones can not receive the transmissions.
This is however a common problem around the world where the users need to buy specific handsets with DVB-H or DMB-T tuners.
http://www.mobiletvhome.com
Posted by: Amitabh | April 25, 2008 at 10:14 AM