Optus is currently assessing the technical and commercial viability of mobile TV based on DVB H technology in a Sydney based Optus customer trial in conjunction with technology partner Nokia Siemens Networks and Nokia.
The industry –wide trial is being coordinated by the Ai Group’s Australian Digital Suppliers Industry Forum (ADSIF) and includes LG Electronics, Broadcast Australia and Australian Digital Testing.
Broadcast Australia has been a pioneer in DVB H testing in Australia, successfully concluded a number of trials with carriers and content developers over the last three years. Broadcast Australia last conducted a trial in 2007 with digital video solutions group Thomson Grass Valley, and digital content protection specialist, Irdeto, the trial license-holder. Both Telstra and 3 have also conducted mobile TV trials over DVB-H or its rival MBMS.
DVB H deployment in Australia has stalled however due to the Howard government’s retreat on the allocation of the planned 7Mhz datacasting channels for mobile TV broadcast services. Australian Digital Testing has been granted a scientific apparatus licence by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for the trial until 28 February 2009.
The trial and its results will be used as a showcase to the Australian government of the benefits of the service, in anticipation of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy Minister Stephen Conroy’s decision on the spectrum allocation process of one of the two planned 7 MHz “datacasting” channels.
The DVB H broadcast service will be trialled over Nokia N96 and LG handsets which are DVB H enabled and can broadcast up to 20 live separate video streams within a 7 MHz UHF channel.
The trial will also be used to raise awareness within the content and infrastructure industries of the capabilities of DVBH and gather feedback on mobile TV usage from selected subscribers using their own mobile phones.
Nine video streams will be available to selected Optus mobile customers with content supplied by the Seven Digital; ABC1; SBS Digital; Fox Sports News; Sky News Business; CNN International and Cartoon Network; MTV and Fox Interactive Media – MySpace Road Tour.
