May 17, 2008

MediaFlo Mobile TV Headed For The UK?

AT&T successfully launched its mobile TV service using Qualcomm's MediaFlo technology at the beginning of May and it looks like with one launch under its belt, MediaFlo is now headed for the UK. Qualcomm just acquired a chunk of the UK's L-Band spectrum, a part that can be for, among other things, mobile TV. Although the company has declined to say exactly what it will do with spectrum, they did test out MediaFlo with service provider BSkyB last year touting it a success. And now the president of Qualcomm Europe, Andrew Gilbert also bears the title of president of Qualcomm Internet Services, MediaFLO Technologies. I'd say that would be a pretty clear indication of the companies intentions. The only barrier in Qualcomm's way is the European Union's recent adoption of the Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld (DVB-H) standard which they hope will eventually be a cross-continent mobile TV broadcasting standard. However, not everyone looks eager to jump on the DVB-H standard, leaving the door open for MediaFlo to make its move.

Via MocoNews