Verizon Wireless has finally confirmed the launch of its V Cast TV service, powered by Qualcomm's MediaFLO platform. It should go live sometime this quarter.
The multicast service beams TV over the air rather than streaming it via the mobile network. This means Verizon can offer TV without congesting the network and affecting voice and other data services.V Cast TV will offer programming 24 hours a day from a range of entertainment brands, including CBS, Comedy Central, Fox, MTV, NBC News, NBC Entertainment and Nickelodeon.
The launch signals the first live roll-out of MediaFLO technology, which was first unveiled by Qualcomm in 2004. The platform has many broadcast mobile TV 'rivals' around the world, including DVB-H, DMB, DAB and ISDB-T, but is more proprietary then the rest: the spectrum and the network are both controlled by Qualcomm.
John Stratton, executive VP and chief marketing officer of Verizon, said: "Television has revolutionised our culture, and wireless phones have become an integral part of our everyday lives. V Cast Mobile TV represents the convergence of these two realities... this is a real transformation of the American media market."
The V Cast electronic service guide includes date, time and programme information, and also allows customers to view programming details up to 48 hours ahead of the scheduled broadcast. A dedicated V CAST Mobile TV Web site will feature a customised programme listing grid, a search feature to discover programs by keywords, content information and previews, and editorial and community features, as well as service information and support.
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The service also includes optional parental control features, consistent with existing multimedia standards, which will be accessible from the Options Menu to allow parents to set ratings for TV and movies.
