MediaFLO chip supports free and pay TV in one handset
Jun 3, 2008 12:19 PM
QUALCOMM is hoping that its new MediaFLO chip will drive customer interest in mobile TV. The chip supports both the Media FLO mobile TV standard and the free-to-air ISDB-T standard currently used in Japan and Brazil. Plus, it can be used in a multimode handset that offers both free and pay mobile TV options.
In the United States, where Verizon Wireless and AT&T use the MediaFLO mobile TV standard, the chip makes it easier for carriers to add QUALCOMM’s premium mobile TV service as a new revenue stream. The free-to-air ISDB-T standard adds a service to operators. In Japan, the chip enables a mix of free and paid mobile broadcast content and services opening up a wider market for consumer adoption and revenue.
"To date, the mobile broadcast deployments in Asia have been successful in driving handset adoption, but so far have not generated a strong return on investment for the mobile TV service providers," said Neville Meijers, senior VP and general manager of QUALCOMM MediaFLO Technologies. "Demonstrating MediaFLO and International ISDB-T standards on a single, multimode handset illustrates a clear path for monetizing mobile TV services through a hybrid free/pay TV service offering that leverages the popularity of free TV with the revenue potential of subscription-based content and value-added services."
QUALCOMM will be demonstrating the MediaFLO/International ISDB-T TV system at its booth, C401, at the ExpoComm Japan show in Tokyo, July 22-24.
For more information, visit http://www.mediaflo.com/.
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