News
Choice is the key for mobile TV
Stuart O'Brien Jan 17 2006, 12:30pm
O2 UK and Nokia have unveiled interim results of their DVB-H broadcast mobile TV trial, boasting average weekly viewing three times that of the rival DAB-based offering from BT Movio and Virgin Mobile.
O2/Nokia triallists are viewing for an average of three hours a week, compared to the 60 minute average in the BT Movio/Virgin Mobile trial, which presented its own results last week.
Nokia and O2 attribute the discrepancy to the 16 channels they had on offer compared to BT Movio's six.
"Channel choice is a clear driver of usage, so just having three or four channels is simply not enough," said Mike Short, O2's vice president of research & development.
The results will further fuel the rivalry between the two camps, with Nokia defending itself vigorously last week against BT Movio claims that it was backing the wrong technology.
Though more channels can be delivered using DVB-H infrastructure, the necessary spectrum in unlikely to be available on a widespread basis in the UK until 2012. DAB spectrum, meanwhile, is available now but has a lower channel threshold.
Other highlights from the 375 person O2/Nokia trial include users accessing mobile TV for an average of 23 minutes per session, with one-to-two session per day. Demand was greatest in the morning and evening, with one group of users watching for an average of five hours a week.
