MediaFLO to compete with DVB-H for mobile TV standard

Updated:2006/9/20 09:51

Qualcomm has teamed with Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV) and China Network Systems to offer its MediaFLO technology as a candidate for screening by Taiwan''s National Communications Commission (NCC) to obtain trial operation licenses for mobile TV services, according to industry sources. The MediaFLO technology will be competing against DVB-H (digital video broadcasting-handheld) to be the standard for mobile TV in the Taiwan market.

NCC announced the screening plan on August 4 and specified September 18 as the deadline for candidates to submit proposals, the sources indicated. Except for the consortium formed by TTV, a wireless TV broadcaster, China Network Systems, Taiwan''s largest cable TV MSO (multi-system operator) and Qualcomm, there are at least three other competing groups led by China Television (CTV), Public Television Service and DAWN TV Technology, all of whom adopt the DVB-H standard, the sources noted.

NCC is neutral about technology standards for the operation of mobile TV services, leaving the selection up to candidates, according to the agency''s screening plan. DVB-H has been adopted widely in Europe and by operators in Australia, North America and Asia, and Motorola and Nokia on September 11 jointly announced their advocacy of DVB-H by cooperating to make their DVB-H-enabled mobile devices interoperable with network services, the sources pointed out. Such backing of DVB-H will put pressure on Qualcomm, although MediaFLO has gained a foothold in the US market, the sources stated.

To increase the global competitiveness of MediaFLO, Qualcomm has decided to make essential patents of the technology open to CDMA and WCDMA handset makers without licensing charges, the sources indicated. In addition, Qualcomm has been actively promoting MediaFLO in Japan, China and Taiwan, the sources pointed out.

Under the screening plan for the issuing of trial licenses for mobile TV services in Taiwan, the NCC offers three radio frequency bands, Channels 35 (596-602MHz), 36 (602-608MHz), 53 (704-710MHz) for trial operations in the northern and southern regions of Taiwan. Four of the five operators of 3G mobile communication services in Taiwan are involved in the competition to provide mobile TV services, with each being a member of multiple competing groups.

(source: digitimes telecom)