Satellite technology could drive mobile TV

System may boost adoption in Europe

Ian Williams, vnunet.com 08 May 2008

The adoption of mobile TV services has been slow in Europe, but the market is on the verge of significant growth, according to research by Frost & Sullivan.

The report suggests that efficient transmission and distribution of mobile TV services remains the biggest hurdle to widespread uptake.

However, the researchers believe that the use of satellite technologies could be an effective and economical way of solving these issues, and could help to lift revenues from $1.92m in 2007 to $3.27bn in 2014.

"As mobile TV services continue to grow across Europe, customers and operators require a reliable and pervasive service coverage which can transmit high-quality dedicated programmes," said Natalie Bentz, research analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

"The distribution and transmission by satellite through the hybrid network or backhaul will greatly contribute to the success of mobile TV by providing what the industry and the customers ask for."

The report highlights the potential that a hybrid network platform offers for mobile TV in terms of distribution, which would help solve issues with reception in urban and rural areas, as well as indoor and outdoor locations.

Furthermore, the utilisation of the S-band, which will be allocated across the European Union, will reduce the spectrum difficulties that could be experienced when using other frequencies.

Alternatively, operators could consider using satellite backhaul for the distribution of mobile TV.

This model is not affected by the standardisation problem, and no specific devices or chipsets are needed as this solution does not involve a direct link from the satellite to the end user.

However, both hybrid network and satellite backhaul solutions face problems in the market, including competing alternatives through terrestrial networks predominately around timing.

"By the time of the scheduled availability of the satellite segment for the hybrid solution, terrestrial alternatives will already have established themselves in some markets," explained Bentz.

"The solution of satellite backhaul faces problems related to the bandwidth hungriness of mobile TV applications."

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