China is stepping up research and application on the combination of China mobile multimedia broadcasting and TD-SCDMA technologies. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will launch a trial to provide TV content through mobile handsets during the Olympic Games.

China mobile multimedia broadcasting, or CMMB, is a new technology that China developed. The technology can be combined with TD-SCDMA, the country's homegrown 3G technology standard, to offer television content through mobile handsets.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology says it will step up promotion of the new service during the upcoming Olympic Games. Currently it has set up broadcasting platforms in 37 cities across China. 40,000 TD-SCDMA and CMMB mobile sets have hit the market. Using the handsets, users can enjoy free television before the end of the year. There are 7 high-definition TV programs available through the handsets, including the CCTV Olympics channel. The trial is expected to lay the foundation for expanding the commercial use of the technology in the country.

Industry insiders say the combination of CMMB and TD-SCDMA is a priority in developing the mobile multimedia industry in China. The two technologies were both invented by China. And together, they're expected to provide better and more convenient mobile broadcasting services for Chinese consumers.

Source: CCTV.com