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OVERLAND PARK, Kan.—Qualcomm Inc.’s highly anticipated MediaFLO mobile TV service is gaining momentum as Sprint Nextel Corp. confirmed it is conducting trials using the network technology and could soon join initial launch carrier Verizon Wireless in offering the service to consumers. The additional support could be crucial as competing mobile TV services come online.
Sprint Nextel said it had branded its MediaFLO trial as “Vue” to help participants distinguish between the trial and its current mobile TV offering from MobiTV, which is delivered via Sprint Nextel’s CDMA2000 1x EV-DO cellular network. The company explained that its Power Vision services provide sports and entertainment news, as well as more than 50 video and audio channels of live and on-demand programming. The carrier has even broadcast a live Bon Jovi concert directly to mobile phones and offers full-length pay-per-view films like “National Treasure,” “Spider Man 2” and “Scarface.”
“Ultimately, customers don’t care about the underlying technology,” wrote Suzanne Lammers, spokeswoman for Sprint Nextel, in an e-mail. “They want a service that is easy to use and delivers a satisfying experience.”
Interestingly, Sprint Nextel recently warned its MediaFLO testers that they might experience intermittent disruptions to the mobile TV service due to “solar outages.” The carrier said there should only be about one outage per day between Oct. 4 and Oct. 9, and that the outage should only last 5 to 10 minutes.
“Solar outages are a natural phenomenon that occur twice a year in March and October, and is the result of a satellite and receiving earth station coming in direct line with the sun,” Sprint Nextel warned its MediaFLO testers on the company’s Vue Internet login page. “Since Sprint Vue is a satellite based technology, your service could be affected when the energy from the sun interferes with the satellite’s signal. This interference can cause a temporary loss of signal transmission, but should only last a few minutes.”
Back in December 2005, Verizon Wireless energized Qualcomm Inc.’s MediaFLO USA mobile TV movement by signing on to use the company’s live multicast service that will be offered via MediaFLO’s own $800 million network. Qualcomm is funding the dedicated network’s construction and has said the network will use the company’s nationwide license for TV channel 55. The chipmaker hopes to allow carriers a way to broadcast data-heavy video services without compromising their cellular networks.
“MediaFLO USA offers operators a dedicated multicast system that enables them to deliver large amounts of high-quality mobile content to subscribers without having to build out and maintain their own networks,” offered Gina Lombardi, president of MediaFLO USA. “It’s a more efficient and cost-effective solution.”
Lombardi, along with Verizon Wireless’ Jim Straight, vice president of wireless Internet and multimedia services, confirmed to RCR Wireless News that the network is set to launch in several Verizon Wireless markets by the fist quarter of next year. But neither Lombardi nor Straight would provide details about specific markets or projected revenues. When asked how many subscribers Verizon Wireless expects to sign up for its mobile TV service, Straight divulged only, “We don’t do things for thousands.”
And although Verizon Wireless hasn’t announced which vendors are supplying handsets for its mobile TV service, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Co. Ltd. have announced plans to build phones for the technology.
When asked whether Sprint Nextel plans to use its recently announced WiMAX network to provide mobile TV services, Lammers noted, “With a distinct spectrum advantage and an existing powerful EV-DO nationwide network, Sprint is evaluating several technology options for broadcast. Meanwhile, we are trying to understand what customers want in terms of programming content, their anticipated usage patterns, who will use the service, as well as what customers are willing to pay for the experience. Sprint’s rollout of EV-DO Rev. A by first-quarter 2007 will enhance and broaden the broadband coverage. Our 4G network will also provide a technology option for Sprint to deliver a mobile broadcast experience.”
