Dear Industry Executive

The two faces of mobile TV

This week’s announcement by UK state broadcaster the BBC (see top story) that it is to trial the syndication of some of its programming to 3G mobile operators heralds the arrival of mobile TV. While much has been talked of mobile TV services since O2 trialled them in Oxford, UK in September, nothing much has really happened from a broadcaster point of view — the odd news offering from Sky and CNN, the odd bit of made for mobile footage around reality TV shows — now with buy in from such a well known brand, things are surely set to take off?

Juniper Research believes broadcast services are set to dominate the Mobile TV space, reaching revenues of $3billion by 2009 at the expense of streamed video services and downloads. This will be driven, in part, by increasing amounts of quality TV content becoming available.

But you can’t write off the other side of mobile TV: the value-added content services such as those rolled out also this week by Hearst Media’s The History Channel (see second story). While THC has 250million global viewers of its TV channel, it is not looking to broadcast content, rather it is using the mobile channel as a way of offering value adds that help extend its brand, build brand loyalty and, hopefully, also earn some secondary revenue.

And this is interesting. While strictly not mobile TV in the broadcast sense, Hearst’s strategy does show how text, pictures, FAQs and video clips converge in to a single mobile offering around the TV and offer unique ways to essentially advertise to viewers who you know already like you. Will broadcast mobile TV be able to say the same when it is fully up and running? Possibly not, as it will, like today’s broadcasting market, very competitive and people will be essentially chasing ratings. It seems the battle has been joined.

Yours

Paul Skeldon

paul.skeldon@contentfutures.com

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BBC to trial syndication of TV and radio programming to 3G

UK state broadcaster the BBC is to start trials of the syndication of a range of its television channels and radio networks via 3G to mobiles with operators Orange, Vodafone and 3, it announced at Broadcast Mobile TV congress last week.

The 12 month trial will allow subscribers to Orange, Vodafone and 3's TV packages to watch BBC One, BBC News 24 and BBC Three — with the exception of some sport and acquired programmes — streamed on their mobiles.

They will also be able to listen to up to eight radio stations including Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music, BBC 7 and Asian Network. The trial will start within the month.

Ashley Highfield, Director of Future Media and Technology at the BBC, says: "By making a range of television channels and radio networks available to 3G mobile phone subscribers, we hope to test not only the effectiveness of 3G as a means of distribution, but also how audiences respond to the BBC's linear services on their mobiles. The findings, combined with quantitative and qualitative consumer research, will inform the BBC's future mobile strategy."

Separately, the BBC has also launched an enhanced version of bbc.co.uk/mobile, which is available to all mobile phones with browsers capable of displaying XHTML pages.

Users will benefit from improved navigation and design, with scope in the future for additional functionality. The enhanced service also includes a redesigned BBC Weather which features Radio 4's The Shipping Forecast.

Internet users accessing the BBC on their mobile phones and other high-tech gadgets racked up almost 90 million page views, according to the latest figures. Mobile usage of the BBC's website has grown 100 per cent year-on-year over the last three years and these figures show the trend continuing. Total page views for the WAP and PDA versions of bbc.co.uk were in excess of 84 million in January 2007.

Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/03_march/29/3g.shtml

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History Channel launches WAP service in UK — tomorrow the world

The History Channel has launched a direct-to-consumer mobile service in the UK delivering the network's content to viewers via WAP for the first time. The History Channel mobile service offers a range of tiers, including a free service, pay per download or subscription.

arvato mobile, a subsidiary of the international media and communication services provider arvato AG — part of entertainment Bertelsmann — built and will serve the platform for the service, which launched at the end of last week in the UK. Localized versions of the mobile service will roll out in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia later in 2007.

The History Channel mobile service features content including a "This Day in History" daily feature with text and images, programme information, video highlights, quizzes, polls and competitions. Through the subscription and pay per download services consumers can view short form video and download wallpapers and games.

The UK service also gives users direct mobile access to a 30,000-entry encyclopaedia from The History Channel, allowing viewers to search for dates and facts wherever they are. The History Channel mobile service can be accessed in the UK by texting HISTORY to 81066 or through the mobile URL, mobile.thehistorychannel.co.uk. To promote the launch, the subscription service will be available for free for the first six weeks.

The History Channel currently has mobile TV services in the UK with Vodafone Sky Mobile, Three and Orange, in Portugal with Vodafone, TMN and Optimus, in Spain with Vodafone, in Latin America on Claro in Brazil and Telcel in Mexico through MobiTV, and in Turkey through Mobilturk.

"We are excited to be extending our popular web services to mobile," said Emily Lloyd, Head of New Media for The History Channel UK. "The search function is particularly compelling - the equivalent of carrying around a massive encyclopaedia in your pocket. I only hope we don't get too many complaints about people cheating in the pub quiz!"

Read More: http://www.arvato-mobile.com/ unternehmen/presse.html?tx_ahpresse_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=189

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13 million Italian 3G users set to ditch WAP push this month

From mid April, Italy’s 13 million 3G users will be able to access and download rich content such as ringtones and games via 3G video rather than over the more traditional — and somewhat clunky — WAP.

One Italia is using IP Unity Glenayre’s Versera Video Portal as the user interface and presentation management platform for the deployment. The 3G hosted service from IP Unity Glenayre and leading Italian system integrator Pradac Informatica, will be incorporated into One Italia’s content, billing and customer management (CBCM) platform. The complete delivery platform will allow users to easily access, preview and download rich-media content, while being billed directly by One Italia.

“Mobile content is providing an increasingly profitable revenue stream for operators and content providers alike, and the launch of our new service will encourage even more users to download content directly onto their mobile phones,” a spokesperson from One Italia said at CTIA last week. “Our aim is to deliver a better, faster, and richer experience for our users than that offered by traditional WAP-based technologies. IP Unity Glenayre’s Versera platform was the obvious choice for delivering the value of 3G video, having already proven its capability around the world.”

IP Unity Glenayre’s Versera Video Portal enables operators and content providers to distribute video-based content and services to 3G subscribers. Video phone users receive immediate, direct access to popular content, such as ringtones, graphics, music videos, movie trailers and a variety of streaming video services.

“Until now, content download has been facilitated by WAP, which can be slow and cumbersome when dealing with video and rich media,” said Arun Sobti, Chairman and CEO of IP Unity Glenayre. “3G video offers a much faster and more compelling user experience for these forms of media, removing another barrier to the uptake of mobile video and encouraging more users to interact, engage, and consume new and exciting forms of content.”

Read More: http://www.ipunity-glenayre.com/news

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Mobile payments boosted by VeriSign-Visa deal

Mobile payment applications got a much needed boost last week when US network provider VeriSign entered into an agreement with Visa International to support the Visa mobile platform to advance the already fast-growing mobile commerce market, through mobile marketing campaigns and point-of-sale redemption of mobile offers.

As a result of the agreement, Visa will provide mobile offer management capabilities including the delivery of mobile coupons by leveraging VeriSign’s content delivery services. VeriSign will enable Visa, its members and merchants to create customised campaigns, mobile offers and promotion programs.

Additionally, the service will help marketers understand the performance of their mobile campaigns potentially resulting in better returns on marketing dollars spent.

“The Visa mobile platform provides mobile operators and financial institutions the opportunity to rapidly develop new mobile services using the unique interactive features of handsets,” says Patrick Gauthier, senior vice president, innovation, Visa International. “We are excited to be working with VeriSign to combine secure payments with value-added promotional services. Our collaboration is designed to enable consumers to receive promotions and information relevant to their purchase experience anywhere via their mobile phones.”

According to forecasts from a recent Juniper report, 2009 and 2010 will represent the start of the wider adoption of mobile payment applications and services and will result in close to $1 billion worth of worldwide payments being made via mobile by 2010.

Read More: http://www.verisign.co.uk/verisign-inc/page_037555.html

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Portuguese carrier TMN makes way for ‘Super SMS’

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it appears to be ‘Super SMS’ — enhanced messaging services that add Instant Messaging (IM) and presence detection to the SMS service and it is set to sweep Portugal as national mobile carrier TMN takes its first steps towards a totally IP messaging based platform in a deal with LogicaCMG.

The deal with LogicaCMG for its intuitive messaging technology means that TMN will be able to offer messaging services to both mobile and PC users, taking a first step towards an all-IP messaging platform. The technology provides subscribers an advanced messaging experience, by making it dialogue based and including the ability to send pictures, audio and media clips from phone-to-phone and phone-to-PC.

With 5.7 million subscribers across Portugal, TMN is looking to LogicaCMG’s intuitive messaging portfolio to position itself at the forefront of converged messaging. The launch of Super SMS is considered as a stepping stone in this direction, and supports the GSMA’s initiative to roll out carrier independent personal IM. TMN is benefiting from LogicaCMG’s messaging expertise, bridging today’s SMS, MMS and voicemail messaging services with tomorrow’s IMS-based applications.

“Our customers can now enjoy a superior messaging experience, enhanced with the interactivity they expect from instant messaging technology,” says Filomena Pereira, responsible for SMS at TMN. “TMN is well positioned to develop messaging further, into advanced IP and IMS platforms.”

LogicaCMG recently announced the sale of its Telecoms Products business to a consortium of private equity buyers, subject to employee consultation and regulatory approval. Once the transaction closes the Telecoms Products business will trade under the new brand, Acision.

Read More: http://www.logicacmg.com/r/8000/page/400006036

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Talking phrase books for mass market mobiles

In a very Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy move, online travel company lastminute.com and developers CoolGorilla have launched six new talking phrase books for mobile phones. These launches represent a new category of mass-market downloads, which are available immediately for mobile operator portals through mobile services provider WIN.

The user simply navigates to the appropriate phrase in English that they would like translated and presses ‘select’. The application then speaks the phrase in the foreign language through the consumer’s phone, in real time and provides an additional text translation on screen. The phrase is delivered perfectly in the foreign language as the developers used native-language speakers in the creation of the phrase books.

This application enables operators to add value to business users as well as consumers as the application is equally suited to business customers who travel abroad and consumers on holiday. The applications are also ideal for generating repeat purchases, as users pay for one language at a time, i.e. the English/French translator as one download and the English/Spanish translator as another.

The applications are available for English-speakers to communicate in six foreign languages: French, Spanish, German, Greek, Italian and Portuguese. Each version has between 250 and 300 sound files covering all elements of their foreign experience including Eating, Travel and Emergencies. Later this year more talking phrase books will be launched including multiple versions communicating from one non-English language to another, e.g. French to Italian.

Mark McCulloch, Head of Brand Development at lastminute.com added: "This is truly a break through in being smart on holiday. Instead of you having to flick through the pages of a phrase book to find what you want to say, you simply click your phone menu, select the phrase you need and voila!”

Read More: www.coolgorilla.com/lastminutemobiledemo.wmv

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Mobile TV and Video Summit, 17th April 2007, Las Vegas

MoTV is about how the business of mobile television and video is evolving on cellphones and other mobile devices. As faster cellular networks come online, consumers can now view rich content such as TV and movie clips, original mobile programming and sports clips on their mobile phones True mobile television will shortly also be an option for millions, as operators roll out phones with special chips enabling consumers to receive multiple channels of broadcast television over special frequencies.

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Mobile site delivers enhanced revenue stream to comic creators

Platinum Studios, the company that controls the world's largest independent library of comic book characters, has announced it is using Bango's direct-to-consumer technology to power Platinum Studio Mobile - a mobile website featuring images, sounds, wallpaper and more mobile content from Platinum's library and from the web's #1 web comics community. By working with Bango, consumers on any mobile network, anywhere in the world can browse Platinum Studios content at their leisure and make a purchase via their phone bill, by credit card or PayPal.

For more information please visit http://www.platinumstudiosmobile.com

Next Generation 3G Solutions Get Accessible For All

Major telecommunications companies pick up technology originally developed for deaf people's communication. Telecommunication features of essential value for deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind and speech-impaired people have been incorporated in a recently approved mainstream standard for 3G and Next Generation Networks.

For more information, please see www.omnitor.se

Market Analysis Report: Mobile Entertainment Markets: Opportunities and Forecasts 2006-2011

Price: £1490 (Single User) £1990 (Multi User) £2490 (Enterprise Wide)

While mobile music and infotainment markets - in particular ringtomes and wallpapers - remain popular; exciting potentials exist for both adult content, and especially gambling, casual gaming and TV - with increasing 3G penetration around the world. This comprehensive report provides a thorough evaluation, global analysis and summary of these mobile entertainment developments, with consolidated revenue forecasts, broken down by region and by major entertainment category.

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