More BBC mobile TV
There are three forms of television for mobile devices. The first uses the DAB radio transmission system, as found on the Virgin Mobile Lobster 700 TV, the second is a system called DVB-H which provides quarter-screen but perfect quality pictures, and the third method is to stream the content over the 3G telephone network, which is not really suitable for broadcasting.
Today the BBC announced the start, within a month, of a 12 month trial of the 3G option to Orange, Vodafone and 3 phones.
BBC One, BBC News 24 and BBC Three (with the exception of some sport and acquired programmes), Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music, BBC 7 and Asian Network.
In addition the BBC will upgrade the service for mobile phone web browsers from the basic WAP service to XHTML, and add a functional weather service.
The BBCs Ashley Highfield said: "By making a range of television channels and radio networks available to 3G mobile phone subscribers, we hope to test not only the effectiveness of 3G as a means of distribution, but also how audiences respond to the BBCs linear services on their mobiles. The findings, combined with quantitative and qualitative consumer research, will inform the BBCs future mobile strategy."
The BBCs Richard Halton, added "The BBC constantly aims to make its content available to as many people in as many ways as possible. The mobile platform is a great opportunity for us to reach existing users in a new way and connect better with people who are not currently big users of the BBC. The BBC believes that mobile content is an important part of the broadcasting landscape and is looking at ways in which mobile devices will shape services of the future for licence fee payers.
"To this end, the BBC will be undertaking extensive and unique research into consumer behaviour and experience throughout the 3G mobile syndication trial. To date we have done relatively little consumer research in this area, and it will provide us with a detailed insight into consumer behaviour."
Are you going to pay for this awful service or wait until a DVB-H system is provided?