AT&T Services and RaySat Broadcasting have officially launched their joint CruiseCast in-vehicle satellite-based mobile television and audio service (see above) with 22 TV and 20 radio channels, the company says.
CruiseCast is designed for back-seat entertainment systems with monitors installed in the back of headrests or dropping from the ceiling. The rounded, phased-array antenna from RaySat for the Ku-band satellite frequencies (see below), is attached to the vehicle’s roof.
The system is engineered to reduce signal drop-outs due to blockage from overpasses, buildings, trees and tunnels, CruiseCast says. In addition, the signal is buffered for up to three minutes, so I assume there’s some leeway there for an interrupted signal.
The hardware and installation cost about $1,300 and the monthly subscription fee is $28.
TV channel list
If you’re not a sports junkie or a kid, about half the channels aren’t interesting. Of course, in-vehicle entertainment systems often are considered a godsend by harried parents who are desperate to amuse their children.
And, to be fair, the list also includes weather, comedy, nature, news and science fiction programs.
The mobile TV channels are: AccuWeather, Animal Planet, Adult Swim Network, Cartoon Network, CBS College Sports Network, CNN Mobile, Comedy Central, Discovery, Discovery Kids, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ESPN Mobile, Fox News, Lifetime Channel, MSNBC, MTV Mobile, NFL Network, Nickelodeon Mobile, Noggin, Sci Fi Channel, The N and USA Network.
Business case
The one-time hardware and installation cost combined with the monthly subscription fee makes CruiseCast an unnecessary luxury for many people, especially under these economic conditions. Still, you can’t halt mobile communications development simply because of the economy.
In-vehicle entertainment systems are extremely popular, and CruiseCast certainly won’t be the only system. Qualcomm’s FLO.TV system, which is available for cellular phones, is slated to be launched later this year for vehicles. Audiovox supposedly will offer a vehicular FLO receiver for $600 – $700.
Also, ICO Global Communications — which has had its share of business ups and downs — plans to offer hybrid satellite (see below)/terrestrial repeater-based system for mobile TV as well as navigation and messaging services. Trials are underway in Las Vegas and Raleigh/Durham.
In addition, members of the Open Mobile Video Coalition (a trade association promoting the ATSC Mobile DTV standard) plan to offer free mobile TV for portable devices, such as cellular phones, as well as for vehicles. Commercial service is slated to begin later this summer, as I’ve written.
