Friday, May 26, 2006
Posted by Roberto
11:15 AM
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MOBILE TELECOM INDUSTRY UPDATE
Keywords:
UMA > Unlicensed Mobile Access
DMB > Digital Multimedia Broadcasting
DVB-H > Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld
MVNOs > Mobile Virtual Network Operators
The UMA Consortium
UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology allows for seamless handover of voice and data connections between GSM cellular and unlicensed wireless networks (e.g. WiFi, Bluetooth). The Nokia 6136, UMA-enabled mobile handset, demonstrates the complementary nature of cellular (quadband GSM coverage) and IP-based networks (WiFi). Subscribers using UMA can take advantage of improved indoor coverage and higher data rates, when accessing the local WLAN. Operators can increase their appeal by bundling in calls across free spectrum, especially if it fills in gaps in their coverage. Also a guaranteed cheap home connection through Wi-Fi could make mobile price plans more attractive (lower calling charges when on WiFi), while fixed line providers could use UMA services to add mobile services (through virtual operator deals).
It is worth mentioning that the mobile industry is taking Wireless VoIP very seriously because it could spell trouble for in-building mobile revenues, which represent roughly one-third of total mobile revenues.
As a reaction, mobile operators are trying to extend the wireless multimedia user experience by broadcasting TV programs to handsets.
Mobile digital TV standards:
1 | The Korean DMB (Digital Mobile Broadcast) Standard
DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) is a digital transmission system for sending data, radio and TV to mobile devices such as mobile phones. It can operate via satellite (S-DMB) or terrestrial (T-DMB) transmission. South Korea started S-DMB and T-DMB service in May 1 and December 1, 2005 respectively.
T-DMB (April 2006) service in South Korea consist of:
7 TV channels
13 radio channels
8 data channels
Around 500'000 receivers have been sold (April 2006). Receivers are integrated in car navigation systems, mobile phones, personal video players, laptops and personal cameras.
Some T-DMB trials are currently planned around Europe:
- Germany will launch a T-DMB commercial service for the World Cup 2006
- France is currently running a trial in Paris
- Switzerland and Italy prepare a trial for 2006
- UK launch a commercial service for middle of 2006
- China launch a commercial service for middle of 2006
2 | The European DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) Standard
DVB-H Global Mobile TV
Commercial launches:
- In Albania, DIGITALB lunched nationwide DVB-H services in June 2005.
- In Finland, Digita announced that they had signed a contract with Nokia to use its DVB-H platform for the service. The network will cover almost 30% of the country by the end of 2006.
- In Germany, DVB-H will be launched in North German States in 2007.
- In Italy, 3 Italia launched nationwide services in May 2006, both TIM and Mediaset plans to do the same in June 2006.
- In the USA, a nationwide service will be rolled out by Modeo a company owned by Crown Castle Mobile Media. The service will begin in 2006 in New York City and will roll out to the top thirty markets in the USA during 2007.
3 | Qualcom MediaFLO (Forward Link Only)
The MediaFLO System
Adaptive TV-receiver chips:
Abilis Systems' strategy is to be the first to introduce a single chip solution supporting European DVB-T and DVB-H standards, which will be quickly followed by a triple-mode product adding T-DMB support.
Abilis Systems
Pay TV on mobile:
Nagravision's Nagra Mobile Content Protection System with Thales' delivery solution and Gemplus' SIM card family, GemXplore Generations, to secure broadcasting of content to mobile devices. The SIM is used to decode content decryption keys regularly needed to decrypt the streamed content. This integrated solution brings together the technologies required to secure content in a hybrid 3G and DVB-H environment. Mobile users can use an SMS-based service to subscribe to specific programs or purchase the rights to view specific video-based events.
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