OMVC Reports Positive Progress on Mobile DTV
April 14 2008 - 11:30AM
Business Wire
The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC) announced today that the
broadcasting industry is on track to develop standards and launch
services for mobile digital television (mobile DTV) in 2009. The
group stated that recent Independent Demonstration of Viability
(IDOV) trials showed that DTV-based mobile video technologies are
feasible. �We are on schedule for the 2009 rollout of commercial
mobile DTV,� said Brandon Burgess, president of the OMVC and C.E.O.
of ION Media Networks. �The mobile field trials are an important
milestone in setting a standard for this incredibly promising
technology, and our industry is pulling together in an
unprecedented way to realize the promise for broadcasters and
American consumers. I�m grateful for the leadership of OMVC members
and our partners and for their help in realizing the vision of
mobile DTV.� The OMVC is an association of commercial and public
television broadcasters representing over 800 television stations,
which came together in 2007 to accelerate the development of mobile
digital television. The opportunity inherent in this new technology
is significant. A recent, comprehensive marketplace study projected
a potential $2 billion annually in mobile digital television
advertising revenue � if broadcasters move quickly. They must agree
on a single standard by early 2009 � approximately the same time
that TV stations in the U.S. must complete their transition to
digital-only broadcasting � and begin rolling out mobile DTV
services by the end of 2009. �We are laser-focused on finalizing a
technology standard for mobile DTV, and working with technology
companies and service operators to launch services beginning next
year,� said Anne Schelle, executive director, OMVC. �Mobile DTV
represents a unique opportunity to make the most of the industry�s
greatest assets � our spectrum and content � and I�m pleased that
we have made incredible progress so far on all fronts, engaging
broadcasters, device makers and carriers in a unified effort to
make mobile DTV a reality.� OMVC has been working with the
Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Advanced Television
Systems Committee (ATSC) for the past six months to conduct trials
for pedestrian and high-speed mobile digital television reception.
OMVC initiated the IDOV trials at ATSC�s request to accelerate the
adoption of an effective, mobile DTV standard. ATSC is the
recognized standard-setting body for this kind of technology. The
field trials were conducted in March and April of 2008 in the San
Francisco Bay Area and Las Vegas. Additional lab testing will be
completed over the next several weeks. OMVC is confident that it
will complete the IDOV field and lab tests and have results
available in time to meet the mid-May timeframe established by
ATSC. The trials constitute a critical first step toward the ATSC�s
adoption of a standard that will enable broadcasters to launch
mobile DTV services that will effectively serve the American
public. Preliminary and partial results of the trials have been
encouraging, and include the following findings: Mobile DTV is
feasible: The trials show that both High VHF and UHF mobile
reception works at pedestrian and highway speeds. Mobile reception
can be achieved as far as 40 miles from the transmitter. None of
the systems interfere with normal digital broadcasting. The three
systems that have been subjected to preliminary testing and
evaluation are: the MPH (Mobile-Pedestrian-Handheld) system jointly
developed by LG Electronics and Harris Corporation; and the A-VSB
system jointly developed by Samsung Electronics, Co. Ltd and Rohde
& Schwarz; and a third system jointly developed by Thomson and
Micronas (T/M). All data will be compiled and evaluated for a final
report to the ATSC in May. Next steps will include further testing
and consumer trials. About the Open Mobile Video Coalition The Open
Mobile Video Coalition is a voluntary association of television
broadcasters whose mission is to accelerate the development of
mobile digital video in the United States. The OMVC is composed of
twenty members that own and operate over 450 commercial television
stations, as well as the Association of Public Television Stations,
which represents an additional 360 public television stations.
Membership in the OMVC is open to all U.S.-based television
broadcasters. Members are committed to fostering open competition
in the development of products and services related to television.
For more information, please visit http://www.omvc.org.
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