E.U. pressing for DVB-H standard

The European Commission is preparing to introduce mobile TV standards mandating the implementation of the DVB-H platform.DVB-H--developed by Nokia--has officially been added to the E.U.'s list of standards, according to Dow Jones Newswires. Presently, European operators must favor the technology but still retain the right to deploy competing mobile TV standards, although the commission is mulling mandatory DVB-H use in 2008.

E.U. Commissioner for the Information Society and Media Viviane Reding endorsed DVB-H in March, calling for a single broadcasting technology standard to accelerate mobile TV efforts across Europe. In documents acquired by Dow Jones, Reding cites risks of market fragmentation resulting from multiple mobile TV transmission standards, arguing that DVB-H is best suited for broadcasting TV content on mobile handset displays. Reding also contrasts South Korea's 10 percent mobile TV market penetration with Italy, the E.U.'s most advanced mobile TV market, where penetration remains under 1 percent.

Reding forecasts estimated mobile TV sales between €7 billion to €20 billion worldwide by 2011, with a subscriber base between 200 million and 500 million users. The European Commission document goes on to recommend E.U. countries provide the necessary radio frequencies for DVB-H, suggesting "light-touch" regulation for the mobile TV market. The commission adds that 2008's European Soccer Championship and the Beijing Summer Olympics provide an ideal opportunity to galvanize mobile TV services and adoption.

For more on the European Commission's maneuvers:
- read this Dow Jones article

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