Vodafone Germany: E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone launch joint initiative for a DVB-H-based handset-TV infrastructure

Berlin, 29 May 2006. Initiative for an important market of the future: E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone want to join forces to press ahead with the development of handset-TV, in other words the terrestrial transmission of television programs and multimedia services on mobile phones. To this effect, the four mobile network operators are resolutely backing the pioneering DVB-H technology (Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds). This technology already makes it possible to transmit TV and radio schedules on 16 channels. * DVB-H pilot project in time for the FIFA World Cup 2006(tm)
* DVB-H facilitates provision of a varied program and service offering for the mass market
* Operator consortium planned for efficient frequency use and extensive tapping of markets
* Mobile communications operators advocate the swift nationwide provision of the necessary transmitting frequencies

Selected users will be able to convince themselves of the technology's efficiency in a live presentation planned to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2006(tm). The pilot-project starts today and will run until August 31, 2006 in Berlin, Hamburg and Hanover. In Munich, the pilot project will finish earlier, on July 31, 2006. E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone are planning to set up a consortium of operators to ensure that frequencies are used efficiently and that the market for mobile TV is quickly drawn on.

The foremost intentions of this initiative by the mobile network operators are to establish the technical platform for schedule distribution and to finance the network of channels. The still-existing regulatory obstacles, particularly with regard to the necessary radio frequencies, need to be clarified as quickly as possible in the interests of Germany as a media location.

The use of a broadcasting technology that can supply signals to an unlimited number of receiving devices without capacity restrictions is necessary both technically and commercially, as a supplement to the existing transmission alternatives for moving images on mobile devices that support the UMTS/3G standard, if a mass market for handset-TV is to be opened up. From the standpoint of E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone, the broadcasting technology best suited to the mobile dissemination of TV schedules is DVB-H. The crucial point in its favour is that, unlike the so-called "far and wide"; television DVB-T, this technology is optimised for the transmission of moving images to mobile devices. In the future, DVB-H will make it possible to transmit up to 40 programs to a virtually unlimited number of handset users, while simultaneously offering them additional high-quality services. The data rate with DVB-H is adjusted to the depiction on the handsets' displays and the optimum utilisation of the available accumulator performance. DVB-H broadcasting technology is already available and is, for example, currently being launched in Italy. By linking DVB-H with the mobile network as a "back-channel", it will soon be possible to implement new interactive program formats and provide supplementary information for a particular program. Optimum dovetailing with GPRS/UMTS/3G-based applications will generate additional value for subscribers. DVB-H is supported by all of the leading end-device manufacturers: Benq Siemens, Motorola, Nokia, Sagem and Samsung will soon be offering the first handsets with integrated DVB-H reception.

In order to develop and disseminate offerings like this on the basis of the future-oriented DVB-H standard, E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone are prepared to invest in, among other things, network technology over the next few years. The prerequisite of a workable business model is encroded transmission - which will enable the service to be calculated and charged efficiently. Another essential aspect is the efficient use of the frequencies available in Germany. E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone intend to put the DVB-H spectrum, whose availability is currently restricted, at the disposal of all of the mobile network operators' customers, in order to optimally use the limited range of frequencies for subscribers and to protect the limited resource from unnecessary multiple occupancy with few programs. It is envisaged that a consortium of operators established for this purpose will have the tasks of planning the technical broadcasting platform for DVB-H in Germany, awarding the contracts for setting up and operating the system, and applying for the necessary transmission capacities.

The mobile communications companies, in cooperation with the TV stations, are planning both the mobile provision of existing TV programs and the further development of interactive program formats.

The crucial precondition for a rapid and sustained development of a broad product range for handset-TV is the accelerated establishment and expansion of an extensive DVB-H network infrastructure. To make the necessary investments, the mobile communications companies will require a clear perspective and, above all, long-term legal and planning security. Against this backdrop, the first task in Germany must be the provision of the required national transmission frequencies. It will also be necessary for the media authorities of the German states to agree on a standard nationwide frequency for DVB-H and to allocate appropriate transmission capacities to the mobile network operators.

E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone are strongly urging the media authorities to agree as quickly as possible on the allocation of the frequency capacities. The mobile communications operators are emphasising their readiness to comprehensively and constructively continue their dialogue with the Federal network agency, the media authorities and program organisers on all regulatory, technical and commercial issues.

Source: Vodafone Germany