The European Commission published a set of mobile TV authorization guidelines in an effort to accelerate the introduction of mobile broadcast services across the EU. The guidelines mandate that commercial mobile TV service launches first require authorization from the relevant member states, adding that the process for awarding licenses must be straightforward, transparent and non-discriminatory to avoid delays. The European Commission adds the award conditions should stipulate the quality of the service delivered to customers--including indoor coverage and transmission quality--and recommends frequencies allocated for mobile TV should be withdrawn if the service is not introduced within a reasonable timeframe.

The EU guidelines go on to suggest regulators open the authorization process to all industry players, and institute conditions that encourage cooperation between operators and broadcasters (providing the content). The guidelines additionally call upon the industry to guarantee DVB-H-based service interoperability in every EU member nation by rolling out non-proprietary technologies.

"Successful commercial launches of Mobile TV in Austria, Italy, Finland and the Netherlands have proved that efficient authorization procedures are a key factor for the fast take-up of mobile TV," said EU Telecoms and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding in a prepared statement. "In Austria, 5,000 citizens were using mobile TV within the first weeks of its launch. With predicted growth in sales during the Christmas period, many more Europeans should have the opportunity to watch TV on the go. This is why we want to give Member States guidance on how to allow industry to get these innovative services on track as quickly and smoothly as possible. We stand for a collaborative approach between all actors involved including broadcasters, mobile operators and platforms operators, and we oppose heavy regulation or burdensome authorization procedures for the introduction of Mobile TV in Europe."

For more on the EU mobile TV guidelines:
- read this Cellular-News article [1]

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