Mobile TV to ROK

News

Stuart O'Brien Oct 11 2005, 4:15pm

ROK is targeting 100,000 users for its direct-to-consumer 2.5G mobile TV streaming service, which launches in the UK tomorrow with support from Cartoon Network, CNN and ITN among others.

In a major departure from operator led mobile TV offerings seen to date, punters will be able to download the ROK TV app (initially compatible with a dozen Nokia smartphones) from the company’s website and access a mix of 10 live and on-demand channels.

A free three-month trial is being offered, after which the service will be charged at £9.99 a month. ROK is also in discussions with a major ‘off the page’ phone contract reseller to offer handsets flashed with the necessary software and bundled data allowance.

ROK says the service will work across all UK networks that allow open Internet access and will generate some 10MB of data per hour of viewing at a claimed 15fps. The company expects viewing to peak at 40 minutes a month per user.

ROK believes there is a huge gap in the market for GPRS-based mobile TV services, with operators currently focussed on 3G video deployments and DVB-H some years from commercial reality.

“The demand is there and we expect to amass 100,000 users in a matter of months,” said ROK marketing director Bruce Renny. “Mobile TV is the Holy Grail, but 3G services are niche right now and DVB-H is some way off.”

ROK will unveil more content partners in the coming weeks, including ‘premium’ on-demand movie streaming and pay-per-view sports and music events. Service launches in the US and China are expected before Christmas.

Like the company’s existing MMC-based content offering, ROK TV images are streamed to appear in full screen, with the user required to rotate the handset through 90 degrees to watch.