Royal Philips Electronics has introduced its TV-on-mobile broadcast device for wireless customers in the United States. The front-end device will be used to make available live digital TV, through a number of portable multimedia devices.Dutch semiconductor manufacturer
Royal Philips Electronics announced Monday the initial launch of its TV-on-mobile DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast – Handheld) technology, designed specifically for mobile phone users in the United States.
The device, which includes TV tuner and channel demodulation capabilities, is among the first to provide live access to digital TV via cell phones, portable media players and similar products, according to company officials.
"Philips is enabling consumers to connect to live TV, as well as pictures, movies and music, all while on the move," said analyst Will Strauss, president and technology analyst, Forward Concepts, in a statement.
"By supporting widely accepted standards in TV-on-mobile, DVB-H and Digital Video Broadcast – Terrestrial (DVB-T), Philips furthers standardization globally, which will be critical in enabling a consistent user experience that will drive mass consumer adoption in this market."
Philips has collaborated with Crown Castle Mobile Media to launch its BGT211 TV broadcasting product.
Crown Castle has committed to creating a nationwide DVB-H network, which Philips says it will use to market the BGT211 to consumers in 2006.
"We believe Crown Castle Mobile Media's… ownership of nationwide spectrum will make our planned deployment of a… DVB-H network possible in the United States," said Michael Schueppert, president of Crown Castle Mobile Media, in a statement.
"Working with companies like Philips, Crown Castle Mobile Media anticipates delivering a…live video and audio programming experience…with digital television and satellite radio—anytime, anywhere—to consumers' handsets, laptops and portable media players in major U.S. markets."
Philips, which launched similar TV-on-mobile technology for European customers three months ago, says it has been sampling the BGT211 to a number of wireless carriers and device manufacturers worldwide.
The BGT211, which utilizes low power consumption for longer battery life, features full front-end digital TV receiver capabilities.
The BGT211 also offers several programming options, enabling support for changing platform standards and other related upgrades, in an emerging market.
Philips says it plans to offer a customer development kit in order to speed up the development of digital TV handsets.
To further simplify product development, the company says it will offer optional integrated antennas for use with its BGT211 technology.
Philips is one of many companies making strides in real-time mobile multimedia products. Qualcomm Inc., a digital wireless communications company, along with subsidiary MediaFlo USA Inc., recently announced a partnership with Verizon Wireless to offer consumers across the country TV broadcast services in real-time.
MediaFlo expects the service to become available some time in 2006, once it begins commercial operation of its multicasting network.
After the network is up and running, Verizon Wireless will offer customers access to the live service via MediaFlo-enabled EV-DO headsets, according to company officials.
Following the initial service launch, Qualcomm says it will continue to expand MediaFlo's network to additional markets, in a bid to offer increased access to live multimedia programming via mobile communications devices.
"Using the MediaFlo technology and network, Verizon Wireless will be able to offer its customers a real-time TV-like experience on their wireless phones," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Qualcomm CEO, in a statement.
"With the MediaFlo network, we have developed a wireless multicasting solution that will offer… branded content at an affordable cost to service providers."
Online Media 
