Modeo moves forward with Big Apple trial

Modeo L.L.C., a subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp., announced today that it has launched a trial version of its live, commercial quality mobile TV service in New York City. The beta service was launched after more than three years of development, and while the company has yet to attract carrier partners, it hopes the New York City trial will spur interest.
Modeo, beginning today, will also be showcasing its service at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. CES attendees will have an opportunity to preview Modeo’s service in demonstrations with Microsoft Corp., IBM Corp. and HTC, the developer and manufacturer of Modeo’s smartphone.
As for the New York City trial, Modeo plans to stage activities to promote the service throughout the first quarter. A formal beta test group of several hundred users comprised of wireless carriers, reporters, industry analysts, financial analysts and content providers, is scheduled to begin in late January.
“Modeo is pleased to have this opportunity to showcase our progress toward delivering on the promise of mobile TV,” said Modeo President Michael Ramke. “By moving beyond technical trial efforts and into true commercial grade network service, we continue to position Modeo as an integral player in the dynamic mobile TV space.”
The beta service includes live video content from Discovery Channel, Fox News and others.
Other mobile TV providers like Qualcomm Inc.’s MediaFLO, which is also parading its service at CES this week, have already inked deals with major wireless carriers. Verizon Wireless officially announced on Sunday details of its mobile TV service, which will run on Qualcomm’s MediaFLO network.