Nokia Announces Publicly Available Mobile TV Solution

Nokia today announced that it will make the air interface specifications of the Nokia mobile TV solution publicly available for interested parties. Based on Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld (DVB-H), the end-to-end solution makes it easy for operators and service providers to roll out mobile TV services. The air interface specifies how mobile TV terminals interconnect with the network end of the mobile TV solution.

"Operators and service providers want to know how the interoperability of terminals from different vendors can be ensured. By making this interface specification public, we are emphasizing our commitment to open standards and interoperability as a means to enable positive market development ", says Richard Sharp, Vice President, Rich Media, Nokia.

The Nokia mobile TV solution is based on available open standards such as the DVB-H radio layer standard, which was approved in 2004 by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Some additional application layer specifications are in the process of being finalized by standardization bodies.

"Implementing products alongside standards development helps the industry to get early feedback from consumers and service providers. This means robust, tested standards and that interoperable products will be available when the market demands", continues Richard Sharp.

DVB-H is a new technology that enables broadcast transmission of several television, radio and video channels to mobile devices. It combines digital broadcasting standards with specific features for mobile devices. To receive DVB-H transmissions, devices require an additional integrated receiver.

The Nokia mobile TV solution is a full mobile TV system comprising terminals, servers and network components. Currently mobile TV services using DVB-H technology are being piloted in many countries around the world. Commercial mobile TV services are expected to start in 2006.