Telia to test new technology for TV broadcasts to mobiles

This summer Telia will be broadcasting television programs to mobile phones through a terrestial digital TV network using Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld (DVB-H) technology. The test, to be conducted in the cities of Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden, will be launched in the beginning of August.

The trial broadcasts will use DVB-H, a technology based on the same principle as terrestrial broadcast television that allows many users to watch live broadcast programmes at the same time. In contrast to 3G, DVB-H has no limitations when it comes to the number of simultaneous viewers and the technology also offers improved picture and audio quality in mobile handsets. “Our customers are becoming more and more interested in watching television on mobile phones and we are constantly working on improving and expanding our range of programming through our Telia SurfPort mobile portal,” says Anders Bruse, head of products and services at TeliaSonera Sweden. “That’s why it feels natural for us to test this new technology, which will provide additional broadcast quality improvements for our customers.” The pilot test will start in the beginning of August and will be conducted in selected areas of Gothenburg and Stockholm. The test is being carried out in co-operation with Nokia, which will provide the DVB-H-system and the multi-media mobile phone N92. Telia has been granted a three-month test licence for broadcasting television services to mobile phones with DVB-H technology. In 2004, Telia was the first operator in the world to offer customers live television broadcasts to mobiles from the Summer Olympics in Athens. Telia’s mobile television initiative with 3G has resulted in nine channels on the Telia SurfPort portal and the range of programming is being broadened on a continuous basis.