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Mobile TV Forum Newsletter: Germany prepares for DVB-H launch prior to UEFA EURO 2008

September 2007

Hello and welcome to the September issue of the Mobile TV Forum newsletter!

Germany prepares for DVB-H launch prior to UEFA EURO 2008

Germany's media authorities have decided to allocate frequencies for DVB-H transmissions this fall. The directors' conference of the country's 14 local media authorities confirmed the schedule this month. The aim is to have a DVB-H based mobile TV service on air prior to football's European cup, UEFA EURO 2008, which takes place in June next year.

The country's local authorities have received a total of 29 applications for the DVB-H frequencies.

Among the applicants is a joint venture of three of the major German mobile operators - O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone. In July the three companies were given the green light by the competition authority Bundeskartellamt, who decided that the proposed network operator company would not distort competition.

Service operator company MFD, currently operating a DMB based mobile TV service in 16 German cities, is also applying for a DVB-H license in co-operation with DVB-H technology specialist Neva Media. The two companies are backed by three large media companies. A DVB-H network would allow MFD to increase their channel content to 16 from the current five channels that a DMB stream can transmit.

IBC and IFA events showcase mobile TV solutions

September was the month for two major European industry events. The broadcasting industry event IBC was held in Amsterdam and the consumer electronics show IFA took place in Berlin. A multitude of companies presented products and solutions for mobile TV at both events, which also featured several mobile TV transmissions on air.

At IBC's conference, research company M:Metrics presented data on mobile TV usage in Europe and in the US. Not surprisingly, males aged 18-34 are the most active mobile TV watchers. Female users account for 30% of viewers, with age not playing as big a role as with males. Viewing is expected to split more evenly between genders and age groups as the service becomes more mainstream.

Interaction interface JSR 272 demonstrated at IBC

At IBC, Silicon & Software Systems (S3) and Sofia Digital demonstrated their proof-of-concept deployment of the JSR 272 specification, which they have developed for the mobile operator O2.

JSR 272 is an optional Java package that can be used to implement interactive services for mobile TV handsets. For example, it allows the implementation of operator-branded mobile TV applications. JSR 272 is bearer agnostic and it can work, for example, on the top of OMA BCAST specification.

The JSR 272 application programming interface allows the application to take control over the broadcast functionalities of a mobile device. This includes the abilities to query the electronic service guide, select a particular program or service, present and record the media content, and also download all kinds of files - not just video - over a broadcast stream.

JSR 272 has been developed within Java Community Process, the organization guiding the development and approval of Java technical specifications.

Happy viewing!

Timo Argillander

Editor

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About the Editor

Timo Argillander is the independent editor of the Mobile TV Forum newsletter. Timo is a consultant and journalist specializing in digital media content and technologies.

He contributes articles to various publications, covering developments in mobile TV, digital TV, and the Internet. He also acts as a strategic advisor to media and technology companies and governmental organizations.