Mobile TV opportunity for European operators
June 2, 2010
Telegent Systems has released research findings that point to significant potential for free-to-air mobile TV. Fifty-eight per cent of the British online research sample identified at least one environment, such as while on a train/ bus/ tube, queuing, or in the home or at work/ their desk, in which they would be likely to use a free-to-air mobile TV service. The potential magnifies among the younger demographic groups – 80 per cent of 18-24 year olds and 76 per cent of 25-34 year olds.
“The availability of mobile TV in the European market contrasts sharply with ‘developing’ markets such as Africa, Asia and Latin America where it is proving extremely popular,” said Samuel Sheng, president and CEO of Telegent. “To date, European operators and consumers have been understandably held back by regulatory and standards confusion, unproven technologies and the costs associated with building and operating mobile specific TV platforms. All of these issues can be avoided by using the existing broadcast TV infrastructure and building the receiver technology into the handset.”
“Major events like the World Cup are now focussing the spotlight on mobile TV around the world,” continued Sheng. “It’s an event that you want to see live, wherever you are, but next month, as the first ball is kicked, it’s likely that more people in Lagos than London will have access to live mobile TV. By the time the Olympics come round in 2012 that situation ought to be reversed.