Report: Mobile TV Unlocks Wireless Data Revenue Stream

Report: Mobile TV Unlocks Wireless Data Revenue Stream

The success of early mobile TV services opens the door for the integration of cellular with mobile broadcast networks, says Unstrung Insider

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile TV is set to become a breakthrough mass-market mobile data service, judging by feedback from pioneering services offered by major global operators such as Orange, Vodafone, and SK Telecom, finds a new report from the subscription research service Unstrung Insider (http://www.unstrung.com/insider).

The report, entitled Mobile TV: Switching on the Revenue Stream, identifies the introduction of mobile TV over 3G and satellite broadcast networks as a burgeoning success story, with monthly usage already at more than 1 million sessions per month at some operators.

"There's a lot of mileage in unicast mobile TV as a lure to attract high- value 3G subscriptions," says report author and Unstrung Insider Chief Analyst Gabriel Brown. "The power is its simplicity: Everyone already knows how to watch TV."

The report also covers the upcoming introduction of dedicated mobile broadcast networks based on DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld), DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcast), and MediaFLO technologies, which make more efficient use of radio resources for mass-market, one-to-many media services.

Among the report's key findings:

* Sub-$10/month services will be essential to drive uptake of mobile TV, but from there operators can increase data revenues from the technology- indifferent user base.

* Multicast over 3G has many theoretical attractions for "clip-cast" services, but it will take several years to gain significant momentum. Look for enhanced multicast mechanisms in upcoming 3GPP and 3GPP2 specifications.

* Most operators currently take a technology-neutral stance with respect to mobile broadcast technology -- even those that have tested DVB-H say they are not yet committed to that roadmap.

* DVB-H has the momentum as today's leading contender for dedicated mobile broadcast networks -- especially in Europe. But issues surrounding spectrum allocation in many developed regions looks set to slow down the commercialization of services.

* If Qualcomm's MediaFLO technology delivers what it claims, on the timeline it claims, it could upset DVB-H as the automatic mobile broadcast technology choice. Delays to mobile broadcast spectrum allocation work to Qualcomm's advantage.

Mobile TV: Switching on the Revenue Stream, a 23-page report in PDF format, is available as part of an annual subscription (12 monthly issues) to Unstrung Insider, priced at $1,350. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, please visit: http://www.unstrung.com/insider.

For additional information, to request a free executive summary of the report, or for details of multi-user licensing options, please contact:

Jeff Claudino Sales Manager Insider Research Services 619-229-9940 claudino@lightreading.com

For press inquiries, members of the media may contact Gabriel Brown at brown@unstrung.com.

Source: Unstrung Insider

CONTACT: Jeff Claudino, Sales Manager of Insider Research Services, +1-619-229-9940, claudino@lightreading.com

Web site: http://www.unstrung.com/insider

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