SES Astra to join Dutch interactive mobile TV trial

SES Astra has announced an agreement with KPN and 3G Media Consult to participate in the Dutch Mobile Interactive TV trial.

During the trial, television programmes will be transmitted via the Nozema Services infrastructure to selected subscribers in the Netherlands equipped with Nokia DVB-H mobile phones.

Early DVB-H test results

Results announced last week by Nokia from one of the world's first commercial mobile TV pilots in Helsinki reveal that 41% of pilot participants would be willing to purchase mobile TV services, and half thought that a fixed monthly fee of 10 euros was a reasonable price to pay. Over half (58%) said they believed broadcast mobile TV services would be popular.

The Dutch trial

In the follow-on Dutch Mobile Interactive TV trial, SES Astra will support KPN, Nozema Services, Digitenne and Nokia to test the technical and commercial aspects of broadcast mobile TV using the DVB-H standard. With DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld), content is transmitted with a very high picture and audio quality to large numbers of mobile users.

An important part of the Dutch study will consist of evaluating the opportunities for interactive services made possible by combining a broadcast service with a mobile network.

Real Interactive services

Under the agreement, SES ASTRA will provide one feed of TV content showing recent film trailers and Hollywood news, integrated with an interactive movie quiz. The feed will be captured and broadcast via Nozema Services’ infrastructure to the participants’ mobile phones. The film newscast, interactive phone components and mobile downloads ill be assembled by 3G Media Consult BV, a mobile content service provider. The video clips will be updated frequently and serve to validate both the technical and the commercial solutions.

What is Mobile TV Broadcasting?

Mobile TV Broadcasting allows users to watch their favourite TV programmes, such as dramas, news, music, sports and documentaries, on their mobile device. Channel guides can also be transmitted, allowing users to keep abreast of the latest programmes on air. Unlike streaming video over 3G or GPRS, DVB-H transmission is a true broadcast, like digital satellite or terrestrial TV, optimised for low battery power consumption.

SES Astra welcomes mobile developments

Commenting on this development, SES Astra president and CEO Ferdinand Kayser said, “As our media customers, both TV broadcasters and radio stations, are gearing up to develop their distribution in the mobile environment, SES Astra is preparing to offer them the same exceptional quality of service they have grown accustomed to with DTH distribution. We look forward to combining KPN’s and Astra's services for the benefit of the mobile users in the Netherlands.”

Source: Media Network

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