European mandate may propel U.S. DVB-H

Yesterday we reported the European Commission may mandate DVB-H be the standard mobile TV platform for the European Union. Apparently the commission believes by endorsing a single broadcasting technology standard such as DVB-H, it will accelerate mobile TV deployments in Europe.

I believe a potential DVB-H standard in Europe could help jumpstart the lagging DVB-H standard here in the United States. Many analysts have long said DVB-H eventually would gain traction in the North American market, but in recent months we've heard very little from DVB-H players Hiwire and Modeo. Lately I've been wondering if DVB-H was dead in the U.S., or at least on life support.

I think the EC mandate could push operators, like T-Mobile, off the fence and onto the DVB-H bandwagon. Having a DVB-H standard in Europe would certainly ensure economies of scale when it comes to end-user devices, making it a less risky venture for operators here. It also may add some validity to the mobile TV market, which could help DVB-H players secure deals with non-carrier partners such as cable TV operators or media firms. These types of companies have been rumored to be looking closely at mobile TV services.

Hiwire and Modeo are certainly hoping this potential mandate will help them promote their cause. Neither firm has had success securing a partner so far. Hiwire partnered with T-Mobile USA to test its service in Las Vegas this summer, but the carrier has not committed to a commercial deployment.

Modeo offered a six-week beta test of its network in New York but that hasn't helped it sign on a partner despite the fact it reported favorable user results. In April, the firm reported that 99 percent of the 138 test users were satisfied with the clarity of the service and 87 percent were satisfied with the availability of the service. Modeo executives have said the firm would not launch its service without a partner.

If the EC mandate is finalized, it also will likely put a damper on Qualcomm's chances of getting a licensing deal for its MediaFLO technology in Europe. In December, the firm announced it had conducted a joint technical trial in Cambridge with British Sky Broadcasting but it has not yet announced a licensing deal for its technology in Europe.

Let me know what you think of a potential DVB-H mandate in Europe. -Sue