Disqus - Latest Comments for Amitabh Kumar

Re: Batelco Picks Up 49% In S Tel For $225M; S Tel Offers Govt $2.82B For 16 More Circles

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:57:52 -0000

This makes it Unitech+1. The operators are coming in for the spectrum. Unfortunately with 9-10 operators per circle and established ones at that the chances of reaching the customers are bleak for the new opertors. They are perhaps looking for an MVNO model. With infrastructure sharing allowed, they also do not need to be present on the ground. Essentially this makes such operators invisible. They are truely ghost operators. Only in the air ( or the spectrum for which they come in.).
Good for them if this is what they are looking for.

Re: State-Wise List Of Broadband Subscribers In India

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:27:12 -0000

Top Ten Wireless Trends for 2009!

1. WiMAX Capable Mobile Platforms to Emerge in 2009
Mobile WiMAX has seen considerable progress in 2008, with many countries worldwide having launched Mobile WiMAX networks. The rapid growth in Mobile subscribers and the need for higher bandwidth services will see a major move towards vendors providing platforms for operation in the 2.3 and 2.5 GHZ bands with LTE and Mobile WiMAX technologies. These platforms will include Mobile VoIP implementations.

2. WiMAX and LTE to Continue as Two Prongs of Development
Even though Mobile WiMAX now has a stable architecture with certified products, LTE and WiMAX will continue to lead independent thursts of development, with LTE riding on the strength of 3GPP. Implementation of Femato-cells has achieved some momentum and this is expected to continue.
3. Smartphones Likely to get Smarter
Smartphones have been operating in a stable environment of 3G/GSM/WiFi connectivity, a model which now needs to evolve to encompass new generation of wireless services with native support of applications such as Mobile VoIP, Multimedia based Mobile 2.0 services ( Presence,IM being examples) and multiple air interface support. The foundation of such a smartphone architecture has been unveiled by Nextwave® in its NW1100 WiMAX baseband mobile subscriber SoC (System on a Chip). The architecture supports not only multiple spectrum bands, roaming across multiple network types, but also support of WCS( wireless Communication Service) and EBS/BRS (Educational Broadband Service/Broadband Radio Service) bands in America. HTC T8290 4G Smartphone for Yota in Russia is an example.
4. New Generation of Wireless Broadcast Solutions to Firmly Advance
Mobile Broadcasting using Wireless ( including 802.11n for indoor applications and 3G,Mobile WiMAX for outdoor) is likely to expand to include a range of mobile devices from cellphones to media players. The new devices will move towards a common core architecture encompassing mobile gaming, media players and transfer and full resolution web applications. The formalization of standards for terrestrial broadcasting to Mobiles (ATSC-M/H) in Dec 2008 is also expected this trend to get stronger.
5. Spectrum Availability for Wireless Networks Set to Increase Dramatically
While the potential of Wireless applications has been well recognized, the spectrum for such networks had been lagging. A number of new frontiers have been opened by the wireless industry for a dramatic increase for availability in a number of additional bands ranging from the 700 MHZ UHF to 5 GHz encompassing the traditional WiMAX bands, lower extended C-band, WCS, BRS and other bands. A number of Spectrum auctions have already begun (including those in India and China the two largest mobile markets) which will lead to availability of WiMAX, Wireless and LTE spectrum for new network rollouts.
6. Wireless Environment To get Formalized
Most companies have been using the wireless access including Mobile wireless access based on available services. With a greater availability of WiFi, WiMAX and Mobile services such as 3G,HSPA and EV-DO, the companies will move towards a better definition of usage of corporate applications over Wireless media, security architecture and Wireless value chain. They need to recognize the availability of media such as Mobile WiMAX e.g. XOHM as well as greater possibilities of new applications over the wireless media.
7. Availability of Wireless Based Applications to Increase
The year 2008 has seen a number of wireless applications find greater acceptance such as the Amazon Kindle®, Apple TV etc. The trend is set to increase dramatically with new applications being available in the areas of wireless information systems, wireless advertising and marketing, wireless payment systems, location-based portals, and mobile trading and sales systems. In addition most enterprise application clients will upgrade to include mobile WiMAX and related technologies. These will include usage with multiple air interfaces.
8. Wireless ARPUs to remain Flat in 2009
Wireless ARPUs are expected to remain flat through 2009 owing to flat unlimited usage rate plans. The ARPUs will however be available across a significantly rising user base. This will also encourage a range of applications to come to be used with wireless as a preferred medium.
9. Islands of Wireless Growth will Diffuse Out

Wireless will have greater growth rates in areas unserved by Fiber for broadband access. The BRIC countries, all of which have taken major initiatives in WiMAX will be the largest drivers of wireless broadband growth.
10. Location Based Services and Wireless will Integrate
Location based services will integrate with Wireless networks including WiFi and WiMAX to provide integrated 3D applications usable in outdoor or dense urban environments. The WiFi positioning systems developed by Broadcom are an indicator of the trend.

Re: MTNL 3G Services Demo’ed; Commercial Launch By Mid Feb

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:02:14 -0000

3G and WiMAX Auction starts to roll in India with release of Information Memorandum!
The Department of Telecom has today released the Information memorandum setting in motion the process of 3G and Broadband spectrum auction. The document is available on the DOT website ( http://www.dot.gov.in/as/Auctionindex.htm) The start of the 3G auction is from 16 Jan 2009 and the BWA auction begins two days after the closure of the 3G auction.

For WiMAX, the spectrum will be auctioned in the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands. Three blocks of 20 MHz are on the block for auction. The exact frequencies vary from service area. For Delhi and Mumbai these are as follows:

2305.0-2325.0 MHz
2327.5-2347.5 MHz
2535-2555 MHz

Spectrum in the 2635-2655 MHz band with 20 MHz bandwidth has been assigned to MTNL in Delhi and
Mumbai and to BSNL in all the service areas except three service areas where they have been assigned spectrum
in FDD mode.

The eligibility requirement is to be ( or become) a Class A ISP, or a Universal Access Service Provider ( UAS) or a Cellular Mobile Service Provider ( CMTS).
DoT guidelines stipulate that a UAS license can only be awarded to an Indian Company. Hence, foreign applicants will need to form an Indian subsidiary to obtain the UAS license. However they are allowed to participate
in the Auctions directly, and apply for a license subsequently. ISPs as per present policy can have FDI upto 74%.

There is a rollout obligation of coverage of 90% of service area within 5 years.

In addition to the money paid for auction there is an annual charge of 3% of adjusted gross revenues (AGR). In case of BWA ( WiMAX) the revenues to be counted include those from VoIP, IPTV and regular internet access.

The license will be valid for 15 years.

More on this later..

hhttp://www.wimax-home.com

Re: I&B Ministry May Allow Cable Operators Right Of Way For IPTV

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:21:04 -0000

Cable Operators in India, as usual remain the most neglected lot.In the absence of right of way, the cables are spread all over, an undesirable situation to say the least.

With the I&B ministry mulling over a lot of recommendations, including those on Cable TV and MSOs, CAS, HITS, Terrrestrial Broadcasting the situation to close to anarchy as all these fields are interdependent.

The Cable operators are now facing the full brunt of the growth of DTH which added 1 million customers in Oct 2008.

In the absence of suitable operating framework, adhoc cap on tarriffs, indecision on CAS and keeping in abeyance important decisions such as HITS, the industry presents a gory picture of neglect and indecision.

Re: Oct 2008: Projections For 10M Broadband; India Adds 10.42 M Wireless; Crosses 5M Broadband

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:33:57 -0000

The key to growth of broadband is the induction of WiMAX in the country. Wireline based growth of internet has been limited over the years and there is no indication that the trend has reversed.

All eyes are now on the auction of 3G and WiMAX spectrum the process for which begins in Jan 2009.

Considering the types of reality shows which the telecom sector has presented in the recent past ( with GSM licensees dashing down from 4th Floor to ground for first come forst served), 3G and WiMAX may hold many surprises.

It does not help that Vodafone has been slapped with $ 2 Billion notice, however. This will make many overseas comanies to revist the tax haven laws, which is not easy in the December season, when the concerned people are in tax heavens but for a different reason.

Also what sours the taste is that some Indian comanies have acquired the liking for for bidding and then selling off equity stakes, spectrum et el.

If overseas buyers need to be cautious, it is bad news for such players. In all it should be interesting to watch!

Re: Indian Govt Modifies Auction Guideliness: 3G CDMA Auction, WiMax Reserve Price Increased

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:34:07 -0000

Re: Indian Govt Modifies Auction Guideliness: 3G CDMA Auction, WiMax Reserve Price Increased

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:35:15 -0000

With the Indian govt and regulators having adopting an Ostrich like attitude believing that the WiMAX spectrum in the 2.3 and 2.5 Ghz bands would be used for growth of broadband wireless in the country, the reality will bite when the auctions are over with a probable repeat of the Hongkong results. The reserve prices of WiMAX spectrum fixed at 50% of 3G prices ( at appox $800 million for 3G and $400 million for WiMAX) making it well out of reach of broadband wireless operators. The only users which could possibly use this new spectrum in the 2.5 GHz bands are likely to be those using 3G-LTE technology. This is owing to the sever spectrum crunch for 2G services and the need to deploy additional spectrum for voice services by a multiplicity of players which makes any possible additional capacity attractive.

hence the policy makers should be under no illusion that just because they are auctioning certain spectrum as WiMAX, it will be used for anything other than LTE. But perhaps they are indeed aware of it. After all the 2.5 GHz band has been vacated by throwing to the wolves the existing WiMAX operators operating in this very band.
http://www.wimax-home.com

Re: Why it’s too early to call the WiMax deal a disaster

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:20:23 -0000

The deal would indeed be a disaster if the combine goes along with the Fixed WiMAX, even though that is the business model of Clearwire.There are too many differences in the Mobile WiMAX technology, which has improved on the shortcomings of Fixed WiMAX that few are now deploying it if the mobile WiMAX option is available. It is true that there have been delays in getting the certified devices, but that phase is over now.
Mobile WiMAX permits mobile or fixed devices to transmit only the required number of subcarriers thereby extending the range, has multiple antenna support and mulicast/ broadcast services(MBS). The MBS services alone can make it a killer technology.It is true that this field is littered with bones of many erstwhile entrants, but in this case the players each have their own individual areas to operate in. While Intel is involved with the Chipsets and boards, embedded devices and plug in boards, the MSOs stand to gain from the quadruple connectivity which it enables. While clearwire may be in the driving seat , Sprint brings with it complementary spectrum and infrastructure of towers.

Re: WIMAX: Wireless Broadband Access throughout India by 2010!

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:07:32 -0000

Mobile WiMAX is expected not only to survive one of the strongest technologies transforming the world of mobile broadband.
There are many reasons whay this is bound to happen including the much higher spectral efficiencies,ease of coverage of a city and easy integration with internet applications.

However in India, we seem to be getting bogged down in spectrum issues. Mobile WiMAX spectrum, the key technology used today is yet to be allocated or auctioned.

Re: MediaFLO Adds Three News Channels, College Football To Its Lineup

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:13:17 -0000

MediaFLO needs to include some free channels to grow the handset base. This is clear from DMB-T service in Korea which has sold over 10 million handsets. This will not harm AT&T and verizon in any way.
Once they have a critical mass of handsets, they can make all channel pay.
http://www.mobiletvhome.com

Re: Qualcomm, Siano ink FLO chip deal

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:00:28 -0000

One would also like to see agreements for Chipsets which implement the FLO interface at the transmitter sites.

Re: DD's Mobile TV Trial Finally Goes Live

Amitabh Kumar — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 11:39:49 -0000

The launch of Mobile TV by Doordarshan is indeed an exiting development as a pilot demonstration.
India with its 160 million cell users is now ready for the next stage. If the responses to SMS, ring tone downloads,chats etc is any indication, the users are looing for much more in the mobile handset than just voice calling.

In this aspect India could parallel Korea and Japan where the data revenues and the usgae of non voice services is dominant.

This could be potential pot of gold at the edge of the rainbow and the people are now looking at how it is going to be franchised or offered.

Re: Crown Castle Pulls Plug on Modeo; Sells Spectrum To Private Equity

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:11:53 -0000

The stoppage of services by Modeo highlights the fast paced of developments in this nascent industry whuch has been buffeted with multiple standards. The US market for mobile TV has suffered a severe set back so far as open standard based mobile TV is concerned. The delay in launch of 3G-GSM services due to frequency interference and the diversion created by iPhone which does not support mobile TV are collective factors against which mobile TV operators will find hard to stand against.
The digitalization is proceeding well. However the lack of mobile TV support in ATSC, at least for the present, does not help either.

Re: AT&T's Mobile TV Launch Through MediaFlo Delayed Until Early Next Year

Amitabh Kumar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:21:48 -0000

The delay of the service, ie. Mobile TV using MediaFLO is quite natural considering a series of events which the US market has been witness to in 2007. These include the launch of the iPhone, the launch of 3G services themselves and the need to take into account some of the ventures in DVB-H such as Modeo which had to be recast.We also do not share the view that the FLO technology has a poor future just because of delays in launch of mobile TV in the US. The US market has been always differnt in respect of both handsets as well as the services, with 3G-UMTS as well as GSM coming much later. MobiTV, which provides streaming TV services has over 2 million customers in the Americas. We believe that once FLO is launched in 2008, it will have a strong take up.

Re: Brazil's Oi To Launch Mobile TV Service

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:21:21 -0000

Great news for Brazil to have streamed Mobile TV. However the real growth of mobile TV can come with the new WiMAX operatros providing over their mobile WiMAX networks.

Re: MTV To Create Short Content For Mobile

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:12:01 -0000

A lot of companies are now producing mobile TV content, short form content etc. But the networks, at least in India are not ready yet. We need to also realize that many of the current handsets which are not 3G compatible will need to be changed in the near future i.e by middle of next year. This is a good opportunity for those companies which wish to get a start up on the markets with office applications and multimedia phones.

Re: Holiday Wire: VC Money in Mobile VAS; Tinselvision; Saavn

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:48:58 -0000

It is interesting to know that the Red Herring finalist for December 2007 is a company engaged in innovative content and applications for mobile multimedia and mobile TV. However it should not really come as a surprise considering that the Aug 2007 award also went to Mobile multimedia co. of China, - a mobile interactive video entertainment provider. China and India are yet to have mobile TV services introduced via terrestrial broadcast or 3G networks in a regular manner. At present 3G spectrum remains to be allocated and it is the 2.5 G networks which are used to deliver the “interactive multimedia services”.The licensing process for mobile TV is yet to take off.
This highlights the high potential which is waiting to be unleashed in these markets. As per the Indian regulator’s report released on Dec 24,2007 the number of mobile customers in India grew by 8.85 million in Nov 2007 alone.

What scenario can be envisaged when 3G spectrum is allocated and these networks come into existence in a year from now ? The mobile TV licenses for terrestrial delivery of mobile TV should also be in place by then. In China the driving factor is the 2008 Olympics.

The number of TV channels in India ( as also Asia) has been growing very fast again highlighting the need for regional and local content as the economies grow in excess of 10% per annum.

The three major trends- high economic growth, buoyant growth in mobile networks and need for innovative content for mobile Tv and mobile multimedia will usher in an explosive growth in the revenues for companies engaged in mobile multimedia.

This also matches the high level of private equity which is now flowing in these sectors.

Re: BCCI Does Mobile TV Deal For Indo-Pak Cricket Series With Etisalat, UAE

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:04:51 -0000

I think the report brings out some key factors in the Indian Scenario which are holding back progress on mobile TV.

Firstly we do not have 3G ( Yet). Mobile TV on GSM/GPRS is not practical.
Secondly, we do not yet have a terrestrrial broadcast policy, though TRAI has given recommendations.

Mobile Tv services are not only TV- they are multimedia and downloads, user generated content and interactive TV. The entire mobile sector can be on a higher pedestal once these are resolved.

Re: BCCI Does Mobile TV Deal For Indo-Pak Cricket Series With Etisalat, UAE

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:43:49 -0000

Need for Multifunction Phones for growth of multimedia services

One fact which seriously bothers me is that while a greater and greater number of services are becoming available over the mobile networks, the market is seriously getting segmented into phones which can perform some types of functions but not others.

Examples are many. The segmentation of market today is in the form of business phones ( a la blackberry), multimedia phones ( a la Walkman or Rockr 6), location based service capable phones, Phones which support terrestrial mobile TV( a la Nokia N72, N93),Phones which will support 3G ( a la Sony Ericsson P1i) and others which will not.

Then there is a dimension of phones which are locked to networks and will permit some actions and not others. The market will get further segmented when new phones such as iphone will be launched which will have their own mass appeal.

The question before service providers then is how to address the market? If a user has a newly bought phone, which is very advanced and so on, but does not support mobile TV then such a customer is obviously not in the covered customers category.

The most traditional way to address such an issue has been to somehow bundle the handset with the service and recover the handset amount in future subscriptions. It would be desirable in such cases that the phones offered are multifunctional for greater user acceptability, such as supporting push mail, multimedia and LBS functions.

A body such as OMA needs to take a lead in this matter for higher growth of services and critical mass of customers for service providers.

http://www.mobiletvbook.com

Re: Zee Moots Concept Of Universal Broadcaster For Mobile TV In India; Wants MediaFLO Barred

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:42:09 -0000

The comments of Zee for declaring a universal broadcaster need to be seen in the light of the policy of UASL in telecomms, which can provide all other services without additional licenses. The recent recommendations on IPTV, which is permitted without further license to all UASL holders, ISPs( Net worth over 100 crore) and Cable operators is a step in this direction.Broadcast and Telecom form two different categories- onne where media regulations ( FDI) are applicable and other where they are not. ( Telecom). The FDI requirements are also different. There is a need to simplify the field for broadcasters also on the lines of UASL so that any mode of delivery terrestrial, satellite or DTH be considered on the same basis.

Re: Zee Moots Concept Of Universal Broadcaster For Mobile TV In India; Wants MediaFLO Barred

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:17:31 -0000

The regulator has now announced the draft Policy for mobile TV, which is based squarely on the treatment of mobile TV as a different service, a different spectrum band and a different transmission from any terrestrial transmissions.
How out of place it is, can be seen from the recent development of mobile pedestrian handheld (MPH) and its demonstration at CES 2008.
LG Unveils Mobile Pedestrian Handheld (MPH™) technology at CES 2008, Las Vegas

LG has unveiled the MPH technology for delivery of TV for handhelds in the United States and other countries using the ATSC standard. This could be one of the most important developments in the field of Mobile TV for North America, which does not have the advantage of DVB-H technology being able to ride on the DVB-T networks being installed currently in many regions of the world including Europe and Asia.

This time, the advantage, however appears to be with the MPH technology as it does not need any additional spectrum. The MPH can enable any device for mobile TV by the use of miniature cards or USB attachments.

This implies that within a year, all mobile devices, such as personal media players, gaming devices or cell phones could be enabled for mobile television programming reception. The reception is possible upto 90 Kilometers per hour, which is a reasonable speed in city conditions.

MPH is based on highly efficient MPEG4 encoding coupled with VSB transmission of mobile TV content. The key advantage of the technology appears to be the use of the existing frequency spectrum used for standard definition or high definition digital television transmissions as well as the existing transmitter infrastructure, with only an additional exciter.

This can turn out to be a major differentiator, as spectrum costs can be very high. Many countries ( such as India, for example) are set upon auctioning the mobile TV licenses based on the fact that it needs to use additional spectrum. The license pricing is essentially the price of the additional 8 MHz spectrum.

The new technology, once in place will create a totally new universe of receiving devices with personal media players(PMPs), gaming devices, Standalone TV mobile receivers coming into vogue.

Re: India To Auction Wireless Broadband Spectrum

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:51:29 -0000

World is watching US Spectrum Auctions

The Spectrum auctions of 700 MHz are being watched around the world as no auction has ever been. This is for many reasons.
Firstly, this is one of the first auctions arising out of the digital dividend and its outcome will determine what happens around the world in similar situations.

Secondly, many of the new technologies which have recently emerged such as terrestrial Mobile Tv and Mobile WiMAX have been awaiting spectrum in most countries. The new spectrum wins could bring on the scene companies which will use this band for either terrestrial mobile TV or WiMAX systems ( subject to the WiMAX forum approving the 700 MHz band).This band, against many bands at higher frequencies presents best technological solutions for non line of sight( NLOS) transmissions. As the 700 MHz band is populated with high power transmitters, companies providing terrestrial mobile TV or WIMAX will have the advantage of lower number of repeaters and hence high coverage with lower cost.

Thirdly, this band is available in many countries such as India which are also likely to open up the terrestrial broadcasting sector in early 2008.Comanies, regulators and governments in Asia are watching what value can be ascribed to this band particularly in view of new services which can be advantageously provided. What is also being watched is whether the WIMAX forum will accept this band as its next release ( Release 2) of mobile WiMAX for the purpose of device conformances and certifications. The acceptance of the OFDMA-TDD as an approved interface under IMT2000 has placed the governments in some dilemma as to how the 2.3 GHz bands should be earmarked for future use.

All said, these auctions promise to be one of the most important events for the mobile and wireless industries.

Re: TRAI To Recommend Auction Of Mobile TV Spectrum

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:23:59 -0000

It is noteworthy that the spectrum for 3G services in India has not yet been alloted so far and is also likely to follow the auction route. What is surprising however that the Terrestrial broadcasting recommendations of the TRAI which have been with the Government since 2005 have yet to be announced as a licensing policy for terrestrial broadcast services.As mobile TV services and terrestrial broadcast services ( i.e DVB-T or ISDB-T) can be provided by using the same carrier, it is not clear how these are proposed to be treated seperately in the policy. Auction of UHF spectrum, the first of its kind in India is expected to fetch very high prices. This could be an impediment to growth of mobile TV as an independent service, given the low handset base and revenue models in the short term. For existing cellular operators also it is a dilema as to whether they should stick to the 3G spectrum which can well serve low user densities or also go in for terrestrial spectrum.

Re: TRAI To Recommend Auction Of Mobile TV Spectrum

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:21:16 -0000

Indian regulator TRAI issues Draft Recommendations for Mobile TV Licensing in India

The regulator has now announced the draft Policy for mobile TV, which is based squarely on the treatment of mobile TV as a different service, a different spectrum band and a different transmission from any terrestrial transmissions.
How out of place it is, can be seen from the recent development of mobile pedestrian handheld (MPH) and its demonstration at CES 2008.
LG Unveils Mobile Pedestrian Handheld (MPH™) technology at CES 2008, Las Vegas
LG has unveiled the MPH technology for delivery of TV for handhelds in the United States and other countries using the ATSC standard. This could be one of the most important developments in the field of Mobile TV for North America, which does not have the advantage of DVB-H technology being able to ride on the DVB-T networks being installed currently in many regions of the world including Europe and Asia.
This time, the advantage, however appears to be with the MPH technology as it does not need any additional spectrum. The MPH can enable any device for mobile TV by the use of miniature cards or USB attachments.
This implies that within a year, all mobile devices, such as personal media players, gaming devices or cell phones could be enabled for mobile television programming reception. The reception is possible upto 90 Kilometers per hour, which is a reasonable speed in city conditions.
MPH is based on highly efficient MPEG4 encoding coupled with VSB transmission of mobile TV content. The key advantage of the technology appears to be the use of the existing frequency spectrum used for standard definition or high definition digital television transmissions as well as the existing transmitter infrastructure, with only an additional exciter.
This can turn out to be a major differentiator, as spectrum costs can be very high. Many countries ( such as India, for example) are set upon auctioning the mobile TV licenses based on the fact that it needs to use additional spectrum. The license pricing is essentially the price of the additional 8 MHz spectrum.
The new technology, once in place will create a totally new universe of receiving devices with personal media players(PMPs), gaming devices, Standalone TV mobile receivers coming into vogue.

In a region characterized as the largest mobile TV market in the world, with Korea, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and others having launched mobile TV services, the Indian regulator TRAI has now issued draft recommendations for licensing of mobile TV services. The draft recommendations come after a brief consultation process. India is the fastest growing cellular mobile market in the world with over 8 million users being added every month( nearly a 100 million a year at current pace) but is beset with serious policy issues of licensing, spectrum allocation and regulation. 3G spectrum is not yet allocated in the country and time is running out for many companies which target mobile multimedia services.

The TRAI has recommended a bidding process for licensing of mobile TV services, with a one time entry fee as being the sole criteria for the selection of bidders. Upto 74% foreign direct investment will be permitted in mobile TV companies. Technology neutrality has been permitted in the licenses; i.e. the licensees can roll out networks based on any of the commonly used technologies for mobile TV. Each successful bidder is to be allocated one spectrum slot of 8 MHz irrespective of technology.

The regulator has proposed to allow all mobile companies to start providing mobile TV services without any entry fee or any additional license fees. It has however not elaborated how these will be provided in the absence of allocation of 3G spectrum.

For the terrestrial transmission based mobile TV services, however a very severe regime has been proposed. Only those technologies are to be allowed which have a base of at least 100,000 users. This may be difficult to meet for many technologies, which have undergone trials but the networks are under launch.

The yearly license fees for such companies is to be 6% of gross revenues plus 5% of the highest bid for one time entry fee. As the license fees for entry can be very high, the yearly license fees is set at an unprecedented high scale. However mobile companies providing identical services need to pay no such license fees.

Mobile TV licenses have been offered separately for Terrestrial broadcast and Satellite based services. The roll out times provided are 1 year, otherwise the bidders need to agree to forego a performance guarantee of $5 million. ( For whole of India).

The regulator has chosen to be silent on how a satellite system can be coordinated and made operational within one year.
The present recommendations are in a draft form and the regulator will issue final recommendations after 10th Jan 2008. The government is then expected to come out with policy to regulate and issue licenses in the sector based on these policies.

Previous recommendations of the TRAI on digital terrestrial broadcasting issued in 2005 are yet to see the light of the day in the form of policy announcements for licensing.

Re: TRAI Decides, Deliberates And Now Delays Recommendations On Mobile TV

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:56:32 -0000

The genesis of the dispute which has arisen now comes as no surprise. In the consultation paper response it was eloquently brought out that the difference between " broadcast services" and "Telecom Services" needs to be appreciated. Convergence is a good buzzword but not good enough to cover up the obvious- i.e the different treatment meted to meted to media and telecom services as mandated by the parliament. A DVB-H service is a terrestrial broadcast service. It should have been so depicted.
Whether the service is DVB-T/H, ISDB-T or others, all have the capability to handle screens of mobile(QVGA) or standard definition or HDTV. Hence it was inconceivable for anyone that such services could have been projected in a different league than a broadcast service. This is equivalent to one ministry controlling the subcarriers ( such as in ISDB-T) assigned to SDTV and another ministry controlling those for mobile TV.
Whichever way you put it, terrestrial broadcast TV falls squarely in the domain of broadcasting.

Re: TRAI Decides, Deliberates And Now Delays Recommendations On Mobile TV

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:06:55 -0000

The TRAI has finally come out with the draft policy on 3rd Jan 2008.
In a region characterized as the largest mobile TV market in the world, with Korea, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and others having launched mobile TV services, the Indian regulator TRAI has now issued draft recommendations for licensing of mobile TV services. The draft recommendations come after a brief consultation process. India is the fastest growing cellular mobile market in the world with over 8 million users being added every month( nearly a 100 million a year at current pace) but is beset with serious policy issues of licensing, spectrum allocation and regulation. 3G spectrum is not yet allocated in the country and time is running out for many companies which target mobile multimedia services.

The TRAI has recommended a bidding process for licensing of mobile TV services, with a one time entry fee as being the sole criteria for the selection of bidders. Upto 74% foreign direct investment will be permitted in mobile TV companies. Technology neutrality has been permitted in the licenses; i.e. the licensees can roll out networks based on any of the commonly used technologies for mobile TV. Each successful bidder is to be allocated one spectrum slot of 8 MHz irrespective of technology.

The regulator has proposed to allow all mobile companies to start providing mobile TV services without any entry fee or any additional license fees. It has however not elaborated how these will be provided in the absence of allocation of 3G spectrum.

For the terrestrial transmission based mobile TV services, however a very severe regime has been proposed. Only those technologies are to be allowed which have a base of at least 100,000 users. This may be difficult to meet for many technologies, which have undergone trials but the networks are under launch.

The yearly license fees for such companies is to be 6% of gross revenues plus 5% of the highest bid for one time entry fee. As the license fees for entry can be very high, the yearly license fees is set at an unprecedented high scale. However mobile companies providing identical services need to pay no such license fees.

Mobile TV licenses have been offered separately for Terrestrial broadcast and Satellite based services. The roll out times provided are 1 year, otherwise the bidders need to agree to forego a performance guarantee of $5 million. ( For whole of India).

The regulator has chosen to be silent on how a satellite system can be coordinated and made operational within one year.
The present recommendations are in a draft form and the regulator will issue final recommendations after 10th Jan 2008. The government is then expected to come out with policy to regulate and issue licenses in the sector based on these policies.

Previous recommendations of the TRAI on digital terrestrial broadcasting issued in 2005 are yet to see the light of the day in the form of policy announcements for licensing.

Re: Reports Swing Weekly On Whether WiMax Will Succeed Or Perish

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:47:05 -0000

Mobile WiMAX gets set to rollout aggressively in Europe as Spectrum Gaps fill up

Yet another indicator for rollout of WiMAX in Europe has now turned green with spectrum for Mobile WiMAX being allocated in Italy, one of the last bastions where the auctions were completed in this February. The licenses (35 licenses in all) for three blocks of 21 MHz each ( paired) for all the markets were auctioned in Italy for Euros 136 Million. These licenses were auctioned in the 3.5 GHz band. The largest successful bidder was Linkem with nationwide footprint. It is now launching its first network in the city of Bari with the services “ Wireless DSL” and VoIP. Mobile WiMAX services are already being provided in UK, Ireland and Iceland.
The Italian auctions follow those in Germany ( Euros 86 million) and France.
The German operator DBD has already commenced building the network with orders of over 500 base stations placed with Airspan and commenced service in select cities. WiMAX has already been launched in France by SHD and some of the recent launches include WiMAX Virtual Network Operators.
In the meantime the remaining countries have all announced WiMAX spectrum auctions to enable early network rollouts. Serbia , Portugal and Georgia have announced 3.5 GHz spectrum auctions recently. A common feature of the use of the 3.4 Ghz spectrum is that mobility is to be permitted as per the WiMAX forum profiles. Those supporting include amongst others the Ofcom UK and Portugal.
Mobile WiMAX is now entering the premier league with many countries announcing opening auctions for prime spectrum in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band. This includes the Ofcom UK (2010-2025 MHz and 2500-2690 MHz), Austria ( 2500 ~ 2690 MHz) and Sweden ( 2500 ~ 2690 MHz). Norway has already auctioned Spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band. In Norway the spectrum for 2.6 GHz has already been auctioned to five companies for $42 million. Spectrum in the 2.5-2.6 GHz is considered prime owing to better reach of the WiMAX radios in buildings and greater availability of devices and fetches nearly double the pricing as that for the 3.4 GHz band.
Technology neutrality, which was a basic tenet of use of spectrum announced by the EU in 2007 will guide the use of spectrum in many of the countries of EU. In contrast to its earlier preferred spectrum of 3.5 GHz for WiMAX, the 2.5-2.69 GHz spectrum is now being favored for use in mobile WiMAX, if the ongoing and announced auctions are any indications. This is set to bring in a major compatibility in the mobile WiMAX networks in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Re: BSNL Plans To Divest 10 Percent Inorder to Expand; Biggest Ever Indian IPO

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:34:15 -0000

This is the right thing to do given the excess liquidity in the system driving share prices to unprecedented levels. At the same time we have a great need for expansion of services in vast hinterlands which have not interested other operators despite USO sops.

BSNL has laready announced spending $500 million in CDMA networks and an unspecified amount in WiMAX networks. If VSNL alone can plan a $ 500 million investment in WiMAX, ( see http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_B...)
the scope for BSNL can easliy exceed $4-5 billion in this service alone.

BSNL needs to aim at being the XOHM for India, and replicate a feat being unveiled in the United States.

Re: When Mobile And TV Combine

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 07:51:23 -0000

As the year 2007 comes to a close, we are still grappling with regulatory or licensing issues. Many a time such issues become unresolvable if due attention is not paid to technologies and what they can offer. Hence creating licensing domains without due consideration of technologies can become a serious issue.
The issue of universal broadcaster needs to be seen in a similar light. After all any technology today( DVB-T, ISDB-T or others) permit transmission to multiple screen sizes. A terrestrial broadcaster can thus transmit Mobile TV, Standard definition TV or HDTV using the same carrier.

Hence the recommendation to create such categories. Next year onwards the HDTV will start to be beamed. Our question has been:
Will the Govt issue Terrestrial broadcast licenses or Licenses for terrestiral mobile, terrestrial Standard definition, Terrestrial high definition and so on?
How will it keep on segmenting , allocating spectrum and managing all the new technolgies will come in.

Hence the whole issue needs to be looked at in a holistic manner and the licensing should be for a broadcaster and not limited to a service alone.Obviously the present parliamentary guidelines for media and telecom sectors are different and the two can not be mixed.

Re: When Mobile And TV Combine

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 08:40:50 -0000

Zee's comments are further validated by the developmnet of new technologies such as MPH( mobile pedestrian handheld) which can provide mobile TV as well without using additional spectrum. Hence the proposed criteria of licensing is not based on the realities. Zee has also suggested the "universal broadcaster" irrespective of screen size, which is a more logical approach. further details http://www.mobiletvhome.com/

Re: Zee: MobileTV Recommendations Are Operator Skewed

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:02:31 -0000

Are the recommendations skewed in favour of mobile operators or not? The facts need to speak for themselves. Cutting out a lot of crap, here are the facts straight:
(i) TRAI has allowed Mobile operators to commence Tv services on thier own spectrum, even though they are well aware that the only spectrum given to them is subscriber linked based on voice services. As per TRAI's own recommendation the extra spectrum is liable for return. Can they return the spectrum and also commence services on the same at the same time?
(ii) If mobile TV services are provided on 2.5G ( GSM, GPRS, Edge and CDMA 2000) networks, in violation of spetcrum grant rules, the mobile operators are liable for revenue share of 4% as per their license. For other operators it is 6% or 5% of the highest entry fee which ever is higher. If the highest entry bid is Rs 100 Crore, they need to pay Rs 5 crores per annum, which may exceed the revenues.
(iii) Mobile operators can commmence services immediately but there is no time frame for others. The 2005 recommendations of TRAI for terrestrial broadcasting are yet to see the light of day in the form of policies.
(iV) All broadcasters are required to share tower infrastructure by giving a reference colocation offer, but the same is not the case for cellular operators who have hundreds of thousands of towers.
(v) Broadcasters are required to adhere to all media guidelines, uplink licenses et al, nothing of the kind has been said about mobile operators. can they have their own channel of mobile TV? If so on what basis when others are required to get uplink license?
(vi) Mobile operators "own" all customers, but there has been no directive that a reference interconnect offer be provided by them to broadcasters for return path which is an essential component of mobile Tv operation.
(vii) There are rollout obligations and performance guarantees ( Rs 20 crores for all India) for broadcasters, but none for mobile operators.
(viii) In all countries, there are attempts to avoid complete monopolies. From this criteria, mobile operators who can provide services based on 3G in the near future, should not also hoard the terrestrial spectrum creating complete monopoly.

Do we need more ?

Re: Zee: MobileTV Recommendations Are Operator Skewed

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:29:56 -0000

Indian regulator TRAI Announces Mobile TV Licensing Recommendations for India

The Indian regulator for the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors has issued recommendations for licensing of Mobile TV services in India. This completes the process of consultation on the Mobile TV and places the onus of announcing the License Policy on the ministry of information and broadcasting ( MIB).

The licensing regulations primarily address the terrestrial broadcast mode for mobile TV. No recommendations have been made for the satellite mode of mobile TV services delivery, which incidentally had found a prominent place in its draft recommendations issued on 3rd Jan 2008. It has also left the mobile TV on cellular networks ( GSM, CDMA or 3G networks) to be governed by the operators mobile telephony( CMTS) or universal services licenses( UASL).

The salient features of the Mobile TV policy recommendations are as follows:
- Technology Neutrality (i.e. DVB-H, DMB or FLO technologies have been permitted along with others).
- 74% FDI permitted, but no broadcasting or Cable TV company can hold more than 20% in a mobile TV company. Likewise a mobile TV company can not hold more than 20% in a broadcasting or Cable TV company
- Licenses to be issued for each “Circle” or for the entire country based on a bidding process for licenses.
- Each licensee to be issued Spectrum of 8 MHz in UHF band V(585-806 MHz), only one license( or one spectrum slot) to be permitted to any one company
- 4% of gross revenues or 5% of the highest license bid; whichever is higher; to be paid as revenue share every year
-Net Worth requirements of $0.75 Million ( Appox.) per service area. This translates to about $15 million for the country.
-Services to commence within 18 months; enforced by a performance bank guarantee of $0.5 million for each service area ( $11 million for the country).
- Content to be regulated by the content code of the MIB

Comments on the recommendations
-The mobile TV licensing recommendations as issued are quite onerous in terms of the license fees and ongoing revenue shares. The performance bank guarantees are also very high.
-Linking of annual revenue share to 5% of the highest bid for an area seems to lack any logic as a rouge bid would imply all operators needing to pay a very high license fees.
- By placing equity cross holding restrictions on broadcasting companies, it virtually prohibits such operators to extend their services to the mobile screen- a natural extension.
This means that different companies need to be formed for each screen size or mode of delivery.
- The mobile TV services, per se, have not been defined. Does mobile TV mean delivery to mobile devices or does it mean to those with a specific screen size such as QCIF or QVGA or is it by basing it on terrestrial broadcast.

- The recommendations are silent on the relationship pf mobile TV with standard definition terrestrial TV (such as DVB-T). In most implementations DVB-H services can be delivered on the same carrier as that used for DVB-T. The same is the case in ISDB-T technology used in Japan. In the recommendations now issued, such operation has been ruled out.
- The recommendations make no reference to other delivery extensions such as WiMAX, another mode of delivery of mobile TV Technologies.
- Interchangeability of handsets has been prescribed between different service provides ( if the handsets are provided by them). This is tricky with various versions of the same technology much less between different technologies. An example is the DVB-H technologies based on OMA-BCAST or DVB-CMBS implementations.
- The recommendations are silent on audio services to be provided on the same media. At present the FM, to which parallels have been drawn throughout, does not permit news and current affairs.
- No requirements are placed on mobile operators to give a reference interconnect offer for the return path, which may be critical in many implementations. The mobile operators providing services on their own networks have a conflict of interest with the broadcasters providing services via a terrestrial medium- the subject of current licensing policy.
- All mobile TV licensees are required to share their infrastructure with other mobile TV licensees. This can lead to a wait and watch game in the 18 months leading to the launch of services to piggyback on the operator which launches services first, though it is expected that Doordarshan infrastructure may initially be used by all licensees. This can have serious implications if a company setting up infrastructure can not derive a competitive advantage from the same. The cellular operators however have been kept beyond the purview of such compulsory sharing.
- The FDI of 74% is inconsistent with the current licensing policy in the media sector where 49% is the norm.

On the whole it appears that the ministry of information and broadcasting which sought the recommendations in the first place may have a hard task to maintain a semblance of uniformity of treatment to broadcasters as against cellular operators for providing the same service.

http://www.mobilevhome.com/

Re: BPL Mobile To Launch Mobile TV/Video Service

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:40:05 -0000

Television? What good will come of this device? The word is half latin and half english. Do you believe that this was said once for television?
We need to take the scepticism on the initial launch of Mobile TV ( Albeit clip streaming if some prefer it that way ) in the same light. With 200 million phones in use in India and yet the 3G frequencies, which would allow a proper live streaming service, to be turning into a mirage, what do the operators do?
It is welcome not only because it provides a source of some entertainment but also draws attention to regulatory requirements, developments in Asia ( Malaysia , Vietnam and Phillipines which have forged ahead with DVB-H services , Korea, with DMB-T et el ) is now far ahead in Telecoms and technology. Fortunately for some, the travel is getting easier so that some can witness what we are missing.

Re: TRAI Issues Consultation Paper On MVNOs In India

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:13:24 -0000

While the MVNO consultation paper is of great importance to the mobile industry, equally important has been the consultation paper issued on 2nd May 2008 on the process of allocation and pricing for 3G and Wireless spectrum in the new bands.

It is significant as all the potential activities of operators with infrastructure ( including spectrum) will depend on how the future allocation of spectrum pans out. The TRAI has in the past recommended only limited entry for the existing operators to bid for 3G spectrum, while DOT is opposed to this move.
With the FM coming out in favor of 3G spectrum auctions including all players and not just the existing ones there is set to be some relief from what could have turned out a cozy long term cartelization of frequencies. Just as DOT does, many are reading this as a signal to prevent a major cartelization in the Wireless sector including 3G, Wireless and WiMAX.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI) has issued an important consultation paper on the proposed auction of spectrum in the bands which are considered as “ Prime” for mobile WiMAX. These bands are 2.3-2.4 GHz and 2.5-2.69 GHz, which have been recognized by the WiMAX Forum for its certification profiles and where wave 2 certified mobile devices are becoming available. Globally all WiMAX systems are now largely using these bands for future systems.
The TRAI consultation paper comes at quite an appropriate time as the Indian government is getting ready to allot the 3G spectrum. The consultation paper became necessary owing to certain recommendations of the TRAI on the allocation of spectrum which were self contradictory as well as at variance with global practices. The consultation paper also comes in as some of the mobile operators have started demanding that the 2.5-2.69 GHz be kept reserved for 3G-LTE after the WRC 2007 in Nov 2007 had adopted OFDMA-TDD as one of the approved air interfaces under the IMT-Advanced systems.
The paper proposes that the prime bands of 2.3-2.4 GHz and 2.5-2.69 GHz be got vacated by the scattered existing users and be earmarked for Broadband wireless ( meaning WiMAX) or 3G-Long term evolution (LTE). The Regulator has sought comments on whether the use should be technology neutral as in the United states or be specific to WiMAX or LTE. It has also sought comments on the pricing recognizing that the previous reserve prices particularly for BWA were extremely low and in most cases capped at 25% of the prices for 3G. The emergence of Mobile WiMAX worldwide as a strong technology in use in many networks has considerably increased interest in the spectrum and consequently the value which bidders are willing to pay considering that the spectrum is limited. Parts of the spectrum in the 2.5-2.69 GHz are presently in use by the Dept of Space with operating satellites and may not get vacated leaving only limited spectrum for the rest of the bidders of which one needs to be BSNL or MTNL, the state carriers. With 3G players also eying the same spectrum the number of suitors has gone up considerably for the balance left for allocation.
Unlike many countries such as Japan and Korea, India has not placed restrictions on the mobile operators also accumulating valuable wireless and WiMAX spectrum. This has led to the possibility of complete monopolization of the market by some of the existing mobile operators by having both the GSM/CDMA as well as the WiMAX spectrum which they hold in the 3.4-3.6 GHz band. This includes all the major cellular players. The operators have already wrenched a decision in their favor of keeping
foreign bidders out of the forthcoming 3G spectrum auctions despite the ministry of communications seeking to bring in additional players.
The responses and decisions on the present consultation paper will be important in determining whether the existing players will also be able to get the prime spectrum for Mobile WiMAX and LTE and keep other potential bidders which may be willing to offer much higher prices out. The TRAI, seeing a potential Frankenstein’s Monster of cartelization being created step by step in India has now put a question on the cumulative spectrum which a bidder can hold in these bands.
The decisions on this consultation paper are set to be some of the most important policy decisions which India is expected to witness in the current year considering the long term implications of these recommendations. It will also determine how open India’s market will be for foreign players who now have to play second fiddle to a local operator. It will also determine whether other players in the convergence era such as IPTV providers, broadcasters or wireless ISPs can expect to be in fray for new technologies or simply be swept by the wave of cartelization which is today the name of the game in spectrum.

Re: TRAI Issues Consultation Paper On MVNOs In India

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 27 May 2008 04:58:13 -0000

India to allocate 3G and Mobile WiMAX Spectrum by June 2008

May 27,2008
The Indian telecommunications minister Mr. A Raja has gone on record ( 23rd May ) to state that the Policies and guidelines for the allocation of 3G Spectrum will be issued by June 2008.

This is quite ambitious, considering that the submission of comments to the Indian regulator TRAI on the allocation of 3G and WiMAX spectrum has closed on 23rd May 2008. The process of review and public consultation could take the best part of June 2008. Thereafter the DoT and the other agencies need to decide on the modalities of its auction.

The Indian mobile operators lobby has been traditionally very strong ( not surprising considering that they have over the quarter of the population of India as their subscribers) in wresting concessions in their favour. As expected their chorus has been to consider only existing GSM operators for such allocation. However in this instance the telecommunications minister Mr Raja has been holding his fort strongly to permit even the foreign bidders in the process.

We have always maintained that the implementation of policies which have a long term bearing on the entire nation need to implemented with considerable care. It is not easy to undo such allocations and serious distortions in quality of services and prices to customers can arise owing to faulty policies.

The TRAI has already sounded a note of caution on the question whether the mobile operators should also be allowed to accumulate the Mobille WiMAX spectrum and if so to what extent. It is well known that after the WRC 2007 , which made OFDMA-TDD ( one of the profiles of mobile WiMAX) a part of the IMT-advanced air interfaces the mobile operators have been spoiling for grabbing the mobile WiMAX Spectrum. However as things turn out in such cases, while the TRAI has recommended the grabbing of new spectrum by the existing mobile operators only, the minister Mr Rajah, true to his name, stands in the way like a King! If it spoils the party for some, so be it.

Re: India To Auction 3G Spectrum; Introduces Phased Number Portability

Amitabh Kumar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:25:05 -0000

Looks like that the long wait may come to an end and 3G may be the year 3G is released in India. With an empowered group of ministers slated to meet on the 20th Feb 2008 to review the vaccation of spectrum by defence the field may be open for auctions of 3G spectrum.
The spectrum auctions in the 700 Mhz band in the USA have shown that auctions are the best and most transparent way to allocate spectrum. In fact the ascending auctions with multiple rounds is the best way rather than a closed auction ashas been recommended by TRAI for India.
3G is sorely needed for a range of mobile services including Mobile TV.
Alas! It will not be before the Beijing Olympics which would have been a money spinner for the mobile companies. But Asian Games are not too far away, at least going by the scales of time in which the activities have been going on for the last 3 years on the 3G front !
http://www.mobiletvhome.com/

Re: Airtel Launches Broadband Portal Powered By Google

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:26:45 -0000

Aligning with Google is a good idea considering that it is much more than a search portal. It has a range of open applications and is the future of web access. With Image,Google maps and documents, Google Talk etc. it is going to be an advantage in the long run.

Re: Qualcomm Eyes 2010 For Launch Of Mobile TV Service

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:58:35 -0000

I think Mobile Tv should also be on the agenda of the commonwealth games plannung committees apart from the government agencies. Afterall we do see a lot of facilitation of roads, transport and other infrastructure.

Will be be realistically be able to see a good mobile Tv service by that time? The answer depends on many factors like whether 3G spectrum will go through and to whom, how will mobile TV be licensed etc. There is a need to see through that not only the technology is licensed, but it is actually available to a reasonable section of viewers. This will require certain standardization.
In a mobile market which has a very limited number of smartphones capable of recieving Mobile TV, if these too are split amongst many technologies, this nascent market will never take off. The only reason for strong recommendation for DVB-H has been that India has adopted DVB-T as the standard for terrestrial broadcasting and DVB-T and DVB-H can operate on same platforms.It has no implication on any other technology being inferior or superior. This is analogous to EU recommending a single standard or China selecting a seperate standard for mobile TV.These two markets will outpace others owing to this very reason, with perhaps china being the largest in the world in two years.

Re: Apple In Talks With Reliance Retail For Apple Store

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:50:19 -0000

With the launch of iPhone™ around the corner on June 29th, the excitement is high. The new mobile device is a 3-in-1(Phone, i-Pod and Internet communicator). The iPhone provides internet connectivity using WiFi (IEEE 802.11b/g) or EDGE. This can enable the use of many applications while in the WiFi Hotspots such as mail( Yahoo or Gmail), browsing and media downloads. Google( including Google Earth™) and Yahoo search engines will be available with the phone.

iPhone has also been enabled for YouTube™ which is a fine way to upload and download vides or watch them streaming. Videos on the phone will use the Apple format and will be based on H.264.

There are some questions on the iPhone and live mobile TV which users in India will be waiting for. Watching streaming TV channels is certainly possible using the WiFi or EDGE but the phone has not been enabled for cellular video. Nor will it support MobiTV which is aggregated content as delivered via various operators. Does it indicate a direction which Apple wishes to set for the industry?
What about the DVB-H, MediaFLO and DMB based Mobile TV broadcast systems?
Or Cellular videos delivered via streaming? Does it have something to do with what Apple believes to be the future of live TV on Mobiles?

iPhone also does not support Flash based videos nor does it support Java. In fact Steve Jobs has been quoted as saying “The iPhone will not support Java applications. Java’s not worth building in. Nobody uses Java anymore. It’s this big heavyweight ball and chain.”

Of course, it supports i-Tunes and music stores. Should we be seeing more of those around as action builds up?
Amitabh Kumar
http://www.mobiletvhome.com/

Re: BSNL Wants A FREE WiMax License; Others Push For Price Change; Policy Delay?

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:57:16 -0000

The TRAI, whose public consultation paper on the allocation of WiMAX spectrum has recently closed for comments and its recommendations are expected by end of June 2008. However if one views how the government has considered its recommendations on auction of 3G spectrum, it is likely that the DoT will go its own way in deciding the spectrum slots and auction policy.
The latest view of the governement are to invite all bidders , including foreign operators to bid in the auction of 3G spectrum and the bids are expected to run high. This implies giving a very high valuation to companies such as BSNL and MTNL ( the later being a listed company) unless they are required to pay at par with the average bidding price. The BSNL and MTNL also getting the 3G spectrum on a similar basis.

There are now two scenarios possible.One is that the BSNL/MTNL are required to pay as per the average bid prices. This could mean a very high cash outflow. In USA the spectrum is valued at $1 per MHz per POP. This gives a vaulation of $1 billion for 10 MHz for a 100 Million population. ( Rs 4300 crores). Even if spectrum in India, the fastest growing mobile market in the world goes at one tenth of this price i.e. 10 cents per MHz per POP, the tag comes to $ 1 billion or Rs 4300 Crores. This is far too high these companies to pay out as cash as they need to pay it for WiMAX as well as 3G and possibly LTE.

This is so as the expanses on rollout of 3G and WiMAX networks also need to be taken into account.

The second scenario is that they are given the spectrum free. In this case they get a bonanza of a similar amount and can help greatly in thier listing prices and ability to raise further funds.

Re: India's Telecoms Regulator Recommends Auction For Broadcast Mobile TV Services

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:04:11 -0000

Indian regulator TRAI issues Draft Recommendations for Mobile TV Licensing in India

In a region characterized as the largest mobile TV market in the world, with Korea, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and others having launched mobile TV services, the Indian regulator TRAI has now issued draft recommendations for licensing of mobile TV services. The draft recommendations come after a brief consultation process. India is the fastest growing cellular mobile market in the world with over 8 million users being added every month( nearly a 100 million a year at current pace) but is beset with serious policy issues of licensing, spectrum allocation and regulation. 3G spectrum is not yet allocated in the country and time is running out for many companies which target mobile multimedia services.

The TRAI has recommended a bidding process for licensing of mobile TV services, with a one time entry fee as being the sole criteria for the selection of bidders. Upto 74% foreign direct investment will be permitted in mobile TV companies. Technology neutrality has been permitted in the licenses; i.e. the licensees can roll out networks based on any of the commonly used technologies for mobile TV. Each successful bidder is to be allocated one spectrum slot of 8 MHz irrespective of technology.

The regulator has proposed to allow all mobile companies to start providing mobile TV services without any entry fee or any additional license fees. It has however not elaborated how these will be provided in the absence of allocation of 3G spectrum.

For the terrestrial transmission based mobile TV services, however a very severe regime has been proposed. Only those technologies are to be allowed which have a base of at least 100,000 users. This may be difficult to meet for many technologies, which have undergone trials but the networks are under launch.

The yearly license fees for such companies is to be 6% of gross revenues plus 5% of the highest bid for one time entry fee. As the license fees for entry can be very high, the yearly license fees is set at an unprecedented high scale. However mobile companies providing identical services need to pay no such license fees.

Mobile TV licenses have been offered separately for Terrestrial broadcast and Satellite based services. The roll out times provided are 1 year, otherwise the bidders need to agree to forego a performance guarantee of $5 million. ( For whole of India).

The regulator has chosen to be silent on how a satellite system can be coordinated and made operational within one year.
The present recommendations are in a draft form and the regulator will issue final recommendations after 10th Jan 2008. The government is then expected to come out with policy to regulate and issue licenses in the sector based on these policies.

Re: Airtel Seeks Permission For Mobile TV Pilot

Amitabh Kumar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 14:06:42 -0000

The launch of Mobile TV by DD should not be taken lightly. Many had made the same mistake when they had launched the DTH services. Many had wondered who would watch DD-DTH and its channels. However, the scene is quite different. Has anyone realized how popular it has made DTH in India and make people graduate to paid services?

We see Mobile TV in the same light. It is indeed praise worthy to have done the Mobile TV trials and brought the attention of planners to this event. We hope the next steps will follow

Re: Sprint: WiMax Partnership With Clearwire Still Possible; Dual-Mode Handsets Out This Year

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:44:42 -0000

Completion of Sprint WiMAX trials set the stage for network launch

May 18, 2008
The Washington DC- Baltimore trials which were the staging ground for mobile WiMAX of Sprint Nextel under its XOHM brand have now given the signal for the final launch of the Mobile WiMAX network in USA which will cover over 140 million people by 2010.
The signal for commercial launch came after the trials were declared successful having validated an extensive set of parameters including data rates, handoffs and roaming, MIMO, reception by a range of consumer devices and many more. The trials validated the initial WiMAX devices from Samsung which have been designed to comply with the WiMAX Forum profiles for release 1 wave 2 and will form a part of the initial ecosystem which will be available. Handoffs, synchronization of base stations and delays in handoffs which have been the key differentiators from the Fixed WiMAX technologies have been proven to be acceptable as has the use of the spectrum which will be used for a countrywide rollout.
The signal for the commercial launch of the XOHM service coincides with the announcement of Joint Venture involving Sprint, Clearwire, Intel, Comcast, Time Warner and Google. The cash infusion which the partners are bringing in will enable the physical rollout across the United States as supporting revenues build up from subscription and use.
If the remarks of Barry West, CEO of Sprint are anything to go by, the market for Wireless services and devices is set to take a quantum jump in the USA, much beyond the incremental technologies such as HSDPA and EV-DO have been providing. The new ecosystem of high speed wireless connectivity will generate a host of new applications which were so far not possible owing to the limited set of capabilities in the mobile devices as well as the connectivity via mobile networks. The open architecture of the WiMAX will essentially make the Internet truly mobile and also lead to faster adoption of 3G in the networks.
Seems to be the beginnings of a very exciting era, one which has taken a long time to arrive but is here today like a rainbow with all the colors, excitement and yet always with an element of the unknown.

Re: ContentSutra Predictions For 2008

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:06:50 -0000

WiMAX as the Top Wireless Trend for 2008

Fortune has named WiMAX as the top ten wireless trend for 2008.The naming of WiMAX as the top wireless trend for 2008 has not come as a surprise to industry watchers. A number of developments, happening in their own areas are now coming together to deliver the promise of a completely new mobile wireless experience, the first in over a decade. There are no less than ten reasons, which we foresee today, which are likely to make this prediction ring true.
Firstly, the price of CPEs based on bill of material costs has for the first time forecast to be below $100 (e.g. by Wavesat®). This is even without any of the large scale introductions of WiMAX networks, and even with relatively low CPE volumes in existence today. With volume the prices are set to nosedive even further.
Second, the year 2008 is slated to be one, where large scale introductions of WiMAX networks will happen. The launch of XOHM by Sprint Nextel and WiMAX from Clearwire® will propel the availability of WiMAX to over 100 million of customers before the year is out. This follows over 200 trials and successful introductions in a number of countries.
Third, WiMAX technologies have now matured with the WIMAX forum certifying Wave 2 compatible mobile WiMAX devices. Chipsets are available e.g. from Beceem or Runcom amongst many others which provide immediate implementation of a variety of customer premises equipment(CPEs).

Fourth, the governments worldwide have now much higher awareness of the power of mobility as well WiMAX as an enabler of rural and urban connectivities and its potential in delivering high speed applications. With many of the countries adding 8-10 million users a month for mobile services, universal connectivity is squarely in focus. This is implying a better focus on regulatory issues to spur WiMAX networks.

Fifthly there is a greater availability of CPEs ranging from PC cards, USB modems, standalone gaming devices and internet tablets. Hence operators who do not possess wireline assets are now willing to take a plunge with the new technologies.

Sixth, there is now much better clarity on the use of spectrum for WIMAX and mobile WiMAX. With the WRC 2007 adopting the OFDMA-TDD as one of the approved air interfaces under IMT-2000 as well as clearly defining the WiMAX spectrum bands, many of the pending allocations can be quickly resolved.

Seventh, the success of programs such as M-Taiwan and Eratech® Argentina amongst many others have demonstrated that e-governance and universal connectivity are key drivers of global competitiveness. Regulators globally are seeking expeditious implementations of WiMAX networks, both through spectrum auctions as well as licensing etc.

Eighth, most of the legacy wireline and wireless networks based on TDM circuit switched architecture are nearing end of life and the new generation networks( NGNs) are invariably being implemented based on IP. WiMAX is one of the key wireless technologies which are based on completely open architectures, use of IETF protocols and use of IPv6. The use of WiMAX is seen not only as a migration to open IP core networks with support for mobility but also migration to IPv6 which is inevitable with growing base of mobile devices and mandates for such migration in many countries.

Ninth, the WiMAX technology, unlike its predecessor the WiFi, provides a number of quality of service classes, which can be defined for each connection and each application running over these connections. Thus it can support VoIP for rural telephony as easily as streaming video with their own QoS classes. It is now being seen as a key technology to enable true broadband capable of supporting a rich multimedia messaging and calling environments. Whether it is pictures with an 8Mp camera or an 80GB iPOD®, WiMAX can keep these wireless. Many applications are now ready to step out of the limited connectivity and the row resolutions enabled by today’s mobile networks.

Tenth and finally, all this would be in vain, were it not for some “big-bang” introductions of the technology, which immediately provide a critical mass for prices to come down sufficiently for even more users to subscribe to the service, thus creating a chain reaction.
With the impending launches in a number of countries, as well as launch of Sprint Nextel XOHM and Clearwire® services in USA, the stage is now fully set for just such a phenomenon.

Just as WiFi changed the landscape in the use of computers and mobile devices in just a couple of years, get set to witness the same for WiMAX this year. The drama is expected to unfold with veterans on the stage with the likes of Intel, Samsung, Motorola and Sprint being a part of the star cast and many years of rehearsing behind them. The drama will be played out on the world theatre, with virtually every country donning its colors and logo.

Re: Updated: EU Officially Endorses DVB-H; Does TDtv Have a Chance?

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:12:53 -0000

The single EU standard for mobile TV is for terrestrial broadcast networks. it does not affect the 3G networks which will also continue to deliver mobile TV.
In fact TV streaming using broadband ( WiMAX) such as MxTV will gain rapid ground considering its advantages. However TDTv which is also a multicast 3G technology can well be used in Europe as well.

More details on WiMAX TV
http://www.wimax-home.com/

Re: Some Numbers From India Online 2007 Survey

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:17:36 -0000

TRAI had adopted a mission for broadband growth in India in 2006. However in the absence of any fiscal or policy measures the growth did not happen the way it was predicted.

The mobile market in India has been growing at more than 8 million a month and has reached over 220 million users. Considering that many of the users enable GPRS or mail on the handsets, they would typically be counted as internet users.

It would be desirable that such data also comes forth from TRAI apart from just numbers of mobiles.
Broadband has many applications- VoIP, video and gaming. In fact the entire Web 2.0 ecosystem can be enabled by mobile delivered broadband.

Re: @ CES: Paul Otellini, President and CEO, Intel: Next-Gen Internet Will Be Mobile and More Powerful

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:30:15 -0000

It is quite true that WiMAX has not yet taken off in a spectucular way. There are many reasons for this. These include the specectular growth in Mobile networks with handset launches averaging one a day, advanced new features including broadband delivered via WiFi or bluetooth, new applications etc. and the massive growth and installed base with resultant low prices of handsets.
In WiMAX none of these has happened as yet. The CPEs are expansive and handsets can be counted on the fingers of the hand.

But it is changing very fast. With the Sprint Nextel XOHM scheduled to go on line and backing by Intel, a lot will change on the availability and devices front.
The year 2008 on this recokening should be the year of the WiMAX.

Re: Nokia Launches TV-Enabled Handset in India

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:28:14 -0000

Nokia has also a new Mobile TV Phone for DVB-H. It is the N77 phone which is Triband and supports the full terrestrial frequency range of 470-750 MHz.It has a TV application as well as a single button for launch of TV.

Re: Mobile Broadband Is Soaring; Will Wi-Fi Become As Hard To Find As A Phone Booth?

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:15:08 -0000

Mobile broadband to signal demise of WiFi?
The comment by Ericsson needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. In this case the salt being the news which has come out from the WiFi alliance that the use of WiFi has nearly doubled in 2007.

Even though WiFi is available over a small area, it is not an orphan technology as it is being made out to be. The fact is that Mobile WiMAX is emerging as the most important mobile broadband technology. (see http://www.mobiletvhome.com).
While XOHM will be the home run for mobile WiMAX, companies in other countries are not shying from it either. In India, Tata communications is investing over $500 million in WiMAX technologies. There are half a dozen others.
WiMAX will enable thousands of Wifi hotspots to exist without the need for a backhaul for each one. Moreover using generic network access users will be able to move across WiFi and Mobile WiMAX networks seamlessly.

Amitabh Kumar
http://www.wimax-home.com

Re: Reliance Mobile Offers BBC World News Streaming TV Channel

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:39:44 -0000

It is an irony of the regulatory affairs that you can recieve a foreign news channel on a mobile, but not news via FM channels on the same mobile.

Not that it has a major impact for the present, as in unicast mode the viewership is negligible. But these issues will be important for the government as 3G spectrum is auctioned and more effective mobile TV deliveries become the order of the day.

Re: TRAI Backs Down On Unbundling Of Last Mile; Recommends Franchising For Growth Of Broadband

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:01:40 -0000

Issue of licenses for WiMAX and 3G figure high in the list of recommendations made by the Indian regulator TRAI for enhancing the growth of broadband services in India. perhaps this sets the stage for auctions of the prime spectrum in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band which is earmarked for mobile WiMAX services.

The new recommendations of TRAI come in the face of abysmal growth in broadband subscribers which is evident from the data provided by the regulator itself. Despite an earlier policy issued in 2006, and declaring 2007 as ‘the year of the broadband” the number of broadband subscribers in India stands at just 2.42 million, a reflection of the facts that wishes can not be turned to reality without the basic framework.

Some of the recommendations made include urging the incumbent wireline holders ( MTNL and BSNL holding 95% of wireline phones) to aggressively promote broadband services and urging the government to auction 3G and WIMAX spectrum at the earliest.
It has also recognized the role of DTH operators and Cable TV Operators in providing broadband services and the fact that these networks have the potential to reach rural areas. Cable TV subscribers today at 85 million are nearly twice of the wireline telephone falls.

However while expressing dismay at the low rate of growth of broadband in India, the regulator has neither sought to go into the basic reasons why the penetration is so low, nor bring out concrete measures to address them. It has also stopped short of recommending any measures for DTH and Cable TV operators to increase broadband penetration, which it has recognized form a very important segment.

The systemic ills begin from the broadband policy itself, where VoIP calls are not allowed to any wireline phone in India. This policy was framed way back in 2001 to protect the turf of incumbent wireline operators. This has no relevance today. There is today no major country with a liberalized telecom structure which prohibits VoIP calls or interconnections.

The problems of DTH operators arise from the policy framework whereby they are prevented from providing any broadband or value added service. The cable operators can provide internet, but they must possess an ISP license for the purpose. However the latest release from TRAI stops short of recommending any relaxations for these very operators which it recognizes do reach the rural areas.

The regulator also laments the slow progress of e-governance i.e. the use of broadband by the government agencies themselves. India today stands in stark contrast with its asian neighbors such as Korea (with highest DSL penetration in the world) or the M-Taiwan initiative, the biggest of its kind in the world.

What is needed is to look beyond vested interests which do not permit one set of operators to provide services such as broadband which are in common domain. Systemic maladies continue to prolong as the high cost of internet backhauls despite previous regulations on the subject.

Re: TRAI To Recommend Auction Of Mobile TV Spectrum

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:28:27 -0000

Re: 3G Round-Up: France, Brazil Get 3G Services; Auctions For India And Norway

Amitabh Kumar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:16:49 -0000

Re: AT&T's Mobile TV Service To Launch Feb. 5?

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:04:14 -0000

The long awaited launch of Mobile TV services based on FLO technology is now scheduled for 4th May 2008. This will be the second FLO based network in addition to Verizon which already provides FLO based mobile TV services since March 2007. A total of ten channels will be transmitted which are grouped into three subscription levels, with the “ Limited” package with $13 per month subscription having four channels ( CBS Mobile, Fox Mobile, NBC and NBC News). The next level, (Basic plan) has nine channels by adding on CNN Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN, MTV and Nickelodeon at $15 per month. The Premium packages adds on the movies channel (PIX) with subscription going to $ 30 per month. The premium package will also have AT&T;’s MediaNet cellular access package. AT&T;’s Mobile TV service will be available on two phones ( equipped with MediaFLO receivers) to begin with( LG VU, a touch-screen phone and Samsung Access).
Both AT&T;and Verizon use MediaFLO’s network in the 700 MHz band which provides for upto 14 channels in the allotted bandwidth slot. The PIX and CNN mobile will be available exclusively to AT&T;customers. Verizon also has its two exclusive channels ESPN Radio and MTV Tr3s. The channels are not live transmissions but rescheduled or repurposed content suited for mobiles ( 2GO channels). The PIX channel is a full length movie channel from Sony Entertainment Network.
The new FLO service will find its competition in the MobiTV service which is also available on the AT&T;network using 3G and is priced at $10 a month for the basic package. MobiTV has over 4 million customers across all the carriers it covers. However the broadcast content is expected to bring in a better viewing experience to the users.
In case of Verizon only about 4.6% of the users are reported to have opted for the FLO based Mobile TV service. The usage is expected to grow as the ecosystem of handsets and applications grows. There is a certain inertia for the users to change handsets just to be able to view mobile TV and the launch of iPhone in 2007 did not help in users buying more of FLOTV compatible handsets. MobiTV service on the other hand can be viewed on any phone supporting 3G or GPRS. It also does not help that the iPhones can not receive the transmissions.
This is however a common problem around the world where the users need to buy specific handsets with DVB-H or DMB-T tuners.

Re: Buongiorno To Launch Mobile Content Store Blinko Gold In India

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:27:01 -0000

The Mobile content store is an extremely attractive idea. Users need to get 3GPP or MP4 content converted from the standard MPEG-2 or Video CD ( MPEG-1) formats. This can be quite time consuming.
The other alternative is to download it from ( generally) slow websites.

Re: MTNL Launches Mobile TV Service

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:04:26 -0000

It is a good move by MTNL considering that it has 8 Mhz of spectrum and 1.3M subscribers. This gives it a lot of leeway as against players such as Bharti which have 10 Mhz but 6 M subscribers.

At Rs 349 a month and unlimited use it presents a good option for the users as well.

Re: Airtel, Reliance, Zee, BCCL, NDTV And Mobile2Win On FDI Limits In Media And Telecom

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:41:06 -0000

There is no country where FDI in Media ( broadcast ) and telecom are treated on Par. The responses which have been submitted are very detailed and clear with examples.

Re: Rok, BSNL Sign Mobile TV Deal

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:46:17 -0000

Interesting, however what we have heard later is about Zee Channels at Rs 99 per month unlimited.

Re: BSNL Plans To Roll Out WiMax Services...But Will They Follow Through?

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:18:39 -0000

Tata Communications to invest $500 Million in WiMAX
Tata Communications, one of the largest telecommunications companies in India has announced its intention to invest $500 million in WiMAX technologies. Tata communications has recently been in news for the erstwhile international long distance and Internet company VSNL ( also a Tata company) being merged in the Tata communications. The new Avtar of Tata communications is India’s largest local, broadband, long distance and VPN company. The investments will be made progressively by 2010 and the number of cities and towns where it is provided be over 300.

Tata communications will initially provide broadband services based on the WiMAX technology in a number of major metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Cochin, Chandigarh, Kolkatta and Hyderabad amongst others. These will be progressively expanded to other cities. For enterprise customers it has a more aggressive plan of faster rollout ahead of the retail rollout. This could position Tata Communications as one of the most important WiMAX last mile based VPN providers in the country.

Tata Communications has selected technology from Telsima for its WiMAX rollout.
The other major players of WiMAX in India are Bharti Airtel, Sify, Aircel and BSNL.

Comments on Tata’s Plan to invest $500 Million in WiMAX
March 05,2009
If you are about to dismiss this merely as a regional development in a far off world, don’t! Tata Communications has always been a global player, with global presence, acquisition of companies such as Teleglobe, Tyco global and largest investments in undersea cable systems such as Sea-Me-We 4 and Flag. Tata group itself has always been global with acquisitions such as Corus.
Tata's investment of $500 million in WiMAX is one of the most important developments in Asia. While not at the level of XOHM at $4 billion , the impact on the broadband wireless scene in India will be immense and signify a paradigm change in the manner in which services are used across vast traits in the country where even 3G is a year away if not more.
We expect that like M-Taiwan initiative , it will be a major determinant of e-governance and online applications. India has one of the most vibrant stocks and commodity markets, highest per month growth of mobiles in the world and the largest entertainment industry in the world in terms of volume. We expect a large number of WiMAX enabled devices to emerge on the scene with this new initiative.
It will also be a clear signal to rest of Asia, where WiMAX is well used that this is the technology to use despite some dobuts being expressed by competing camps. Like Taiwan, we expect India to be the home ground for many of the new devices which natively support WiMAX.
The next step i.e. the auction of mobile WiMAX spectrum in India is sorely needed to be an enabler of further growth of these technologies.

Re: NextWave Launches TV Service For WiMax Networks

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:08:05 -0000

Nextwave Technology- Mobile TV using WiMAX

The Nextwave technology has used the most powerful features of Mobile WiMAX technology i.e. Multicast and Broadcast Service ( MBS) and macro-diversity. A multicast service in WiMAX can be extended to hundreds of thousands of users, a feature which had so far been not exploited in commercial applications. macro-diversity makes it possible as it ensures that the mobile receives the transmissions from a number of base stations simultaneously. Not only does such a technology use the more readily available WiMAX spectrum ( rather than 3G), the QoS features of mobile WiMAX ensure better delivery over a wireless medium. It also cuts across multiple standards for Mobile TV which have been the bane of the industry.

More details
http://www.wimax-home.com

Re: BSNL To Use Govt Kiosk Network To Provide 85,000 Customers Wi-Max

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:03:13 -0000

WiMAX technology has proved itself in a number of commercial trials. As compared to mobile networks, it provides a much more spectrum efficient way to deliver broadband connectivity in the metro as well as rural areas of the country.

Re: OnMobile IPO Subscribed 1.31 Times At The End Of Day Two

Amitabh Kumar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:59:40 -0000

Companies such as onMobile have a great future. First of all the many of the innovative applications on mobile are being generated by companies based in India, which specialize in VAS applications, games etc based on Java or Brew.

Secondly these companies operate in the fastest growing market in the world for mobile devices.

Thirdly the potential of the Indian market is yet to be unleashed when 3G spectrum will be made available.

Fourth, with new cell companies soon to enter the market, competition will be tough and User interfaces as well as VAS services will distinguish one offering from the other. 3G will take multimedia applications to a new level and will include services such as mobile TV.

Re: Qualcomm Eyes 2010 For Launch Of Mobile TV Service

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:51:55 -0000

March 17,2008

EU has now adopted DVB-H as the Single standard for Mobile TV.

See http://www.mobiletvhome.com/newdevelopments.aspx

Re: Survey Of Customers Predicts Rise In Mobile TV Viewing; Viva Vision Revenues Almost Double

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:52:32 -0000

Most users of Mobile TV are worried about two facts: The handset they need to use( and whether they are locked with it to the network) and how much they will end up paying for the service. Users feel that the unexpected charges may be too much bother for the convenience of Mobile TV. If the operators can put them at esae, for example or offer pre-paid fixed vaildity packages, the confidence to use Mobile TV will rise dramatically.

http://www.wimax-home.com

Re: TRAI Recommends Infrastructure Sharing, Separate Licenses For Terrestrial And Satellite Mobile TV

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:20:01 -0000

Indian regulator TRAI Announces Mobile TV Licensing Recommendations for India

The Indian regulator for the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors has now issued recommendations for licensing of Mobile TV services in India. This completes the process of consultation on the Mobile TV and places the onus of announcing the License Policy on the ministry of information and broadcasting ( MIB).

The licensing regulations primarily address the terrestrial broadcast mode for mobile TV. No recommendations have been made for the satellite mode of mobile TV services delivery, which incidentally had found a prominent place in its draft recommendations issued on 3rd Jan 2008. It has also left the mobile TV on cellular networks ( GSM, CDMA or 3G networks) to be governed by the operators mobile telephony( CMTS) or universal services licenses( UASL).

The salient features of the Mobile TV policy recommendations are as follows:
- Technology Neutrality (i.e. DVB-H, DMB or FLO technologies have been permitted along with others).
- 74% FDI permitted, but no broadcasting or Cable TV company can hold more than 20% in a mobile TV company. Likewise a mobile TV company can not hold more than 20% in a broadcasting or Cable TV company
- Licenses to be issued for each “Circle” or for the entire country based on a bidding process for licenses.
- Each licensee to be issued Spectrum of 8 MHz in UHF band V(585-806 MHz), only one license( or one spectrum slot) to be permitted to any one company
- 4% of gross revenues or 5% of the highest license bid; whichever is higher; to be paid as revenue share every year
-Net Worth requirements of $0.75 Million ( Appox.) per service area. This translates to about $15 million for the country.
-Services to commence within 18 months; enforced by a performance bank guarantee of $0.5 million for each service area ( $11 million for the country).
- Content to be regulated by the content code of the MIB

Comments on the recommendations
-The mobile TV licensing recommendations as issued are quite onerous in terms of the license fees and ongoing revenue shares. The performance bank guarantees are also very high.
-Linking of annual revenue share to 5% of the highest bid for an area seems to lack any logic as a rouge bid would imply all operators needing to pay a very high license fees.
- By placing equity cross holding restrictions on broadcasting companies, it virtually prohibits such operators to extend their services to the mobile screen- a natural extension.
This means that different companies need to be formed for each screen size or mode of delivery.
- The mobile TV services, per se, have not been defined. Does mobile TV mean delivery to mobile devices or does it mean to those with a specific screen size such as QCIF or QVGA or is it by basing it on terrestrial broadcast.

- The recommendations are silent on the relationship pf mobile TV with standard definition terrestrial TV (such as DVB-T). In most implementations DVB-H services can be delivered on the same carrier as that used for DVB-T. The same is the case in ISDB-T technology used in Japan. In the recommendations now issued, such operation has been ruled out.
- The recommendations make no reference to other delivery extensions such as WiMAX, another mode of delivery of mobile TV Technologies.
- Interchangeability of handsets has been prescribed between different service provides ( if the handsets are provided by them). This is tricky with various versions of the same technology much less between different technologies. An example is the DVB-H technologies based on OMA-BCAST or DVB-CMBS implementations.
- The recommendations are silent on audio services to be provided on the same media. At present the FM, to which parallels have been drawn throughout, does not permit news and current affairs.
- No requirements are placed on mobile operators to give a reference interconnect offer for the return path, which may be critical in many implementations. The mobile operators providing services on their own networks have a conflict of interest with the broadcasters providing services via a terrestrial medium- the subject of current licensing policy.
- All mobile TV licensees are required to share their infrastructure with other mobile TV licensees. This can lead to a wait and watch game in the 18 months leading to the launch of services to piggyback on the operator which launches services first, though it is expected that Doordarshan infrastructure may initially be used by all licensees. This can have serious implications if a company setting up infrastructure can not derive a competitive advantage from the same. The cellular operators however have been kept beyond the purview of such compulsory sharing.
- The FDI of 74% is inconsistent with the current licensing policy in the media sector where 49% is the norm.
- If the licensing process as outlined by the TRAI results in multiple operators in different states, the phones will have no interoperability and limited utility limited to a city. ( See Chapter 9, Interoperability in Mobile TV. ( www.mobiletvbook.com).

On the whole it appears that the ministry of information and broadcasting which sought the recommendations in the first place may have a hard task to maintain a semblance of uniformity of treatment to broadcasters as against cellular operators for providing the same service.

http://www.mobiletvhome.com/

Re: VSNL, YRF To 'Premiere' Chak De On Web

Amitabh Kumar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:05:26 -0000

WiMAX is the solution to the last mile problems and has been used by broadcsters and cable operators in many countries.
With the extensive WiMAX network of VSNL( as well as other carriers), we hope that this will be a reality soon.

Re: Vodafone Seeking To Postpone India's 3G Auction

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:56:16 -0000

Hongkong 2.5/ 2.3 Auctions -a wake up call for WiMAX auctions in India

WiMAX despite over 400 networks successfully rolled out is presently being buffeted by strong winds of a pessimism. Sample this- in the 2.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz auctions which were held in Hongkong in Jan 2009 by the OFTA the only bids which came in were for the 2.5 Ghz-2.6 GHz band. There were no bidders for the 2.3 GHz band which is a prime band for mobile WiMAX with WiMAX forum certified products being available. Not only that, the only successful bids in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band the bidders were mobile companies ( China Mobile HK, CSL and Genius Brand) and have not hidden their intention to use the potential spectrum for LTE. This is despite the fact that LTE, a technology evolution path of 3GPP is still at least 2-3 years away.

As India enters the auctions of 3G and WiMAX portions of spectrum later in march / April 2009, the results of auctions should be a wake up call. We have been pointing out repeatedly that while the air interfaces can be used for WiMAX, the companies are planning to use the LTE based technologies.

With the Indian govt and regulators having adopting an Ostrich like attitude believing that the WiMAX spectrum in the 2.3 and 2.5 Ghz bands would be used for growth of broadband wireless in the country, the reality will bite when the auctions are over with a probable repeat of the Hongkong results. The reserve prices of WiMAX spectrum fixed at 50% of 3G prices ( at appox $800 million for 3G and $400 million for WiMAX) making it well out of reach of broadband wireless operators. The only users which could possibly use this new spectrum in the 2.5 GHz bands are likely to be those using 3G-LTE technology. This is owing to the sever spectrum crunch for 2G services and the need to deploy additional spectrum for voice services by a multiplicity of players which makes any possible additional capacity attractive.

hence the policy makers should be under no illusion that just because they are auctioning certain spectrum as WiMAX, it will be used for anything other than LTE. But perhaps they are indeed aware of it. After all the 2.5 GHz band has been vacated by throwing to the wolves the existing WiMAX operators operating in this very band.

Re: Does A WiMax JV Make Sense With So Many Players Involved?

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:22:02 -0000

New JV Difficult to manage?

It is true that this field is littered with bones of many erstwhile entrants, but in this case the players each have their own individual areas to operate in. While Intel is involved with the Chipsets and boards, embedded devices and plug in boards, the MSOs stand to gain from the quadruple connectivity which it enables. While clearwire may be in the driving seat , Sprint brings with it complementary spectrum and infrastructure of towers.

Re: Indian Mobile TV Market To Be $360 Million This Year: Report

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:13:43 -0000

Mobile TV: Summing Up NAB 2008
NAB 2008, the largest broadcast event of the year did not disappoint this year with new products and technologies outlining the pace of the industry over the next two to three years. With the largest number of international attendees on record of about 30,000 and total attendance of over 140,000 the NAB is now about a complete showcase of the broadcast industry.
This year was very special as this was the last NAB before the complete digitalization sets in the industry by Feb. 2009. With the theme of the NAB 2008 being IPTV and streaming media technologies, the focus was on convergence products rather than those relating to the just terrestrial broadcasting. These included the Mobile TV, HD Radio and of course IPTV.
In the area of Mobile TV, all eyes were on the open mobile video coalition (OMVC), an association of over 800 broadcasters which was expected to finalize the new standard for mobile TV which could be used with the ATSC transmissions. The NAB last year ( NAB 2007) had already given a peek into possible new technologies such as ATSC- MPH ( mobile pedestrian handheld), ATSC A-VSB etc. which can be used with relatively inexpensive additions to the existing ATSC broadcasting stations. However the OMVC stopped short of declaring the new standard for Mobile TV. It has announced its intention of selecting one out of three technologies which will be uses by their members to transmit mobile TV along with the ATSC transmissions. The three technologies which will be finally evaluated include the ATSC-MPH ( Mobile Pedestrian Handheld) promoted by LG and Harris, A-VSB by Samsung and ATSC Mobile TV technology by Thomson and Micronas. The clear declaration of intent by the association of over 800 broadcasters in USA under the OMVC forum heralds a bright future for mobile TV. The stations will defacto transmit local content for mobile TV in addition to regular DTV ( ATSC) transmissions. This is expected to provide a uniform standard for the technology in USA and greatly increase penetration as well as subscriber base.

With Verizon already planning Mobile TV services using MediaFLO technology and AT&T;expected to do so by May 2008, it is likely that almost all mobiles will progressively support reception of Mobile TV. 3G based Mobile TV services are also available ( e.g. Sprint TV, MobiTV & others). Content differentiation will be the key factor in driving each of these services.
However the fact that OMVC has not declared any one technology as the final one this year did not stop the product vendors from displaying a complete ecosystem of products around the new mobile TV technologies. Harris and LG electronics, which are supporting the MPH technologies had set up a mobile TV broadcast through the KVCW-DT broadcasting station. The technology demonstrated is based on IP datacasting and is supported by Udcast and Triveni digital. At the same time Samsung was demonstrating its A-VSB powered mobile broadcast TV. The A_VSB technology has the advantage that it does not need additional spectrum for mobile TV transmissions. The existing ATSC spectrum can be used to add-on the mobile TV services. The A-VSB initiative is supported by Samsung Electronics, MobiTV, Nokia Siemens Networks, Rohde & Schwarz and SES AMERICOM.
As expected the area of WiMAX TV, which is IPTV streamed over WiMAX networks attracted considerable attention as a future technology. UDcast, a company known for its IPTV, Mobile Tv products based on DVB-H and DVB-SH technologies has now unveiled its WiMAX TV product.
Earlier in March 2008, Nextwave had unveiled its WiMAX TV Platform called MXtv. Nextwave platform is based on the use of the multicast and broadcast feature of mobile WiMAX and can handle different types of multimedia content including video in QVGA or CIF resolution and can support 45 multicast channels in 10 MHz of WiMAX bandwidth.
With the imminent launch of XOHM and other mobile WiMAX services in US and other parts of the world, delivery of TV to mobiles using multicast and broadcast service(MBS) becomes an attractive proposition. WiMAX TV, which is based on multicasting of streaming mobile TV content has many potential advantages as it is independent of carriers which deliver the service, country and can be received over any WiMAX enabled handset, WiMAX notebook or other devices.
WiMAX uses the relatively inexpensive wireless network for delivery of multimedia content ( Video, music or pictures) and can provide speeds which are an order of magnitude higher as compared to cellular or 3G networks. Due to its high spectral efficiency coupled with quality of service features the content can be delivered in a multicast manner as compared to generating individual streams for each user. WiMAX is an open technology and effectively brings the entire internet in the mobile domain.
MobiTV™, the largest provider of Mobile TV services in the Americas today with over 4 million subscribers came in strong outlining its plan to introduce the open mobile alliance (OMA) Rich Media Environment. No doubt with most of the DTV stations transmitting content repurposed for mobiles via their ATSC transmitters, content aggregators such as MobiTV would stand to gain by content specially suited for mobiles and to increase the gaming and rich media environment.
The adaption of OMA-BCAST platform with the inclusion of new air interfaces based on ATSC A-VSB or MPH seem to be the way the industry is set to grow in the current year.

Re: Gulfsutra: Dubai MVNO; Saudi WiMax; Earnings: Batelco, Wataniya, Qtel

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:05:34 -0000

Nextwave Announces WiMAX based Mobile Tv Platform
10 March 2008

Nextwave® has announced a mobile TV platform based on the use of mobile WiMAX technology. The Mobile WiMAX technology platform is based on Multicast and Broadcast (MBS) feature of the Mobile WiMAX technology. The multicast service in mobile Wimax uses macro-diversity features to ensure that all mobiles are able to receive the multicast transmissions. Unlike a unicast transmission of mobile TV which needs capacity for every mobile using the service, a multicast service can be scaled up to thousands of users in the same spectrum. ( See Mobile Broadcasting Using WiMAX- a technology overview).When dedicated for multicast upto 45 TV channels can be supported in a 10 MHz bandwidth carrier.
Developers of Mobile WiMAX technology and equipment such as Huawei and Alcatel Lucent have already committed to use the Nextwave® technology in their mobile WiMAX products based on IEEE802.16e-2005.

Re: Gulfsutra: Dubai MVNO; Saudi WiMax; Earnings: Batelco, Wataniya, Qtel

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:21:26 -0000

Mobile WiMAX- What to Expect at NAB 2008?
WiMAX has not been a very visible feature in the NAB at least in the past. NAB with its focus on broadcast products, media processing and broadcast services has found little in common with a wireless technology which was known to provide only broadband internet in some trials. WiMAX of course has been very prominent in wireless and mobile fora such as WiMAX World Forum Congress,CES, Mobile World Congress, CTIA Wireless and many others. Many of the developments reported have been drawing the attention of the NAB attendees. These included the demonstration of WiMAX TV by MobiTV in 2007.
With the increasing convergence of IPTV and broadcast networks as well as coming of age of mobile WiMAX technologies including their imminent major launch via the XOHM network, Mobile WiMAX is now being seen as a mainstream technology for streaming multimedia to the mobiles. This brings it squarely in the domain of Mobile TV and also a part of the Broadcast portfolio of many companies.
NAB 2008, which has its theme as IPTV is also expected to provide surprising insight into a number of convergence products which involve WiMAX and presents an interesting opportunity for broadcasters interested in triple play and mobile services. The IPTV products include the following:
• Broadband Wireless
• IMS
• Wi-Fi
• WiMAX
• Wireless Networks
• Wireless Infrastructure
But what has changed between NAB 2007 and now?

First of all, it must be mentioned that many of the mainline broadcasters and distributors ( i.e. cable MSOs) have shown keen interest in partnering with WiMAX operators ( such as Sprint). As per industry news, Major MSOs such as Time Warner and Comcast are in talks with Sprint and Clearwire to invest upto $1.5 Billion. There are other MSOs as well which are looking at investing and joining the bandwagon. The coming in of Cable MSOs in a WiMAX venture was only to be expected and has been in the air for some time now. The winning in the 700 MHz auction of the telecom majors such as Verizon and AT&T;has also set the cat amongst the pigeons as to how these companies will leverage this very valuable broadcast spectrum. It has now been revealed ( at least by Verizon that it will be used for LTE!).
In the meantime for those who have been left out in auctions, it is time to focus on new strategies. What can be more innovative than the Sprint and Clearwire WiMAX networks which have been in making for a while now? WiMAX networks do have clear advantages in providing QoS based connectivity for streaming applications as well as multicast channels. The MSOs need this sorely for VoD content as well as for enabling triple play services. They can also target a host of mobile devices which are Wimax enabled for video and multimedia applications.
Secondly, there has been a slew of new devices which have become between last year and now. With Nokia formally announcing the N810 internet tablet, one more device based on native use of WiMAX (and WiFi) gets added to the domain of WiMAX enabled devices. Everex Systems has unveiled a WiMAX laptop which is compatible with the XOHM network of Sprint Nextel. The Laptop ( Cloudbook MAX) also supports WiFi ( 802.11b/g). With Nokia formally announcing the N810 internet tablet, one more device based on native use of WiMAX (and WiFi) gets added to the domain of WiMAX enabled devices. Intel has announced the prices for Mobile WiMAX ( IEEE802.16e-2005) and WiFi ( 802.11 a/g/n) modules. These modules have been designed for Intel’s Montevina™ based notebooks. The module called “Echo Peak” will be available in two versions. The 1x2 MIMO version will be priced around $44 while the 3x3 MIMO will be priced at $54.The modules will be available in the Mini card form factor.
The announcement of pricing of WiMAX mini cards by Intel was widely expected before CTIA 2008 and the expectations have not been belied, on the announcement or the price. The price of $44 for 1x2 MIMO and $54 for 3x3 MIMO is well below the expected range considering that the volumes have yet to pickup. The CPE prices of $50 are much more affordable than over $100 which were prevailing earlier for similar WiMAX CPEs.
The WiFi 802.11n and Mobile WiMAX 802.16e-2005 wave 2 present the best combo option for high speed applications such as Video. The WiFi 802.11n can be used for live streaming video at full resolution in a WiFi hot spot owing to its high peak speeds of over 100 Mbps.

With new Systems on Chip(SoC) with ultra low power consumption and conformance with Wireless ( 802.11n) as well as mobile WiMAX wave 2 certification profiles making a strong surge, the mobile WiMAX scene is set to be a witness to major changes. Many new applications and devices will get powered and the broadcast sector is set to be one of the largest gainers in this regard.
Third, WiMAX based mobile TV delivery technologies have been made available for commercial use by vendors such as Nextwave. Nextwave has used the most powerful features of Mobile WiMAX technology i.e. Multicast and Broadcast Service ( MBS) and macro-diversity. A multicast service in WiMAX can be extended to hundreds of thousands of users, a feature which had so far been not exploited in commercial applications. macro-diversity makes it possible as it ensures that the mobile receives the transmissions from a number of base stations simultaneously. Not only does such a technology use the more readily available WiMAX spectrum ( rather than 3G), the QoS features of mobile WiMAX ensure better delivery over a wireless medium. It also cuts across multiple standards for Mobile TV which have been the bane of the industry.
Fourth, the predictions coming from the WiMAX Forum are quite optimistic for the growth of Mobile WiMAX, pegging the number of users at over 133 million by 2012, a majority of which will consist of users of mobile WiMAX with portable devices.
If one is to draw a parallel with the mobile networks, it is a good bet that a large number of users will come from BRIC countries. ( In particular Brazil, India and China). The number of mobile phone users in India at over 250 million has exceeded those of US and is at the second place in the world, the first being China.
Fifth, the lowering cost of H.264/AVC encoders and their increasing use in broadcast systems makes possible the encoding of video for wireless distribution at extremely low rates. Operators such as Echostar, which has interests in SlingMedia are looking at IPcasting of TV content to mobiles for which Mobile WiMAX is potentially a very useful delivery medium.
Broadband TV is a major focus area in NAB 2008 including a Conference on April 16th, which features various broadband technologies including broadband wireless.
With the theatrics normally associated with the launches, all in all it promises to be a very interesting show.

Re: Sprint-Clearwire: Google's Role Too Big? Pay-For-Access Deal Raises Net Neutrality-Like Concerns

Amitabh Kumar — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:19:43 -0000

The Key to Mobile WiMAX is the extension of the internet to mobile devices ( with its traditional openness) preserved. We are aware of the struggle of Google over the past 3 years to take its applications mobile. $ 500 million is not a lot of money to take part in such a partnership. The new applications such as YouTube, Video rich IM and most of media collaborative services just do not work on mobile devices with traditional 3G networks. However the key is also the Android, as the new architectures need superior open source operating systems.
The new ecosystem will allow not only Google but many others to offer applications and this will add to the attraction for the new network.

Re: Earnings: Qualcomm's Q1 Revenues Meet Guidance; Net Income Affected By Economy

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:44:25 -0000

In a report published recently by the Gerson Lehrman Group the revenues from MediaFLO for AT&T were reported to be ver small. ( https://origin-www.glgroup.com/News/MediaFLO-no...)

However what is leading to such a large loss per share on this account is surprising.After all, we are taking about $2.6 Billion revenues from core business.

Re: RCom Acquires UK Based WiMax Operator; Plans $500 Million Investment In 2-3 Years

Amitabh Kumar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:43:12 -0000

Mobile WiMAX set to enter a new growth trajectory

The acquisition by RCom of controlling interest in eWave World and its intention of investing $ 500 million in rolling out WiMAX networks is an endorsement by one of the largest companies in India in the field of providing mobile and wireless solutions. Coming as it does on the heels of an announcement by Tata communications of investing $500 million in rolling out WiMAX networks in India, over $ 2 billion is now planned to be spent by the WiMAX companies for networks in India and other regions of the world ( Latin America, Middle east, Africa and Asia).

A series of Mobile network launches in the recent past ( Bulgaria( Max), Canada ( Inukshuk), USA( Craig wireless), Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, India and others) is now set to repeat a “GSM” in creating compatible wireless broadband networks which will soon have roaming arrangements as well.

Increasing availability of mobile WiMAX wave 2 devices with MIMO ( pre-certification as well as certified) and the quickening pace of certification by the WiMAX forum is increasing the mobile WiMAX ecosystem very sharply. The pace of developments in this field is very rapid after the operators are satisfied on the performance which can be achieved and the services which can be delivered over the WiMAX networks.

With Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint agressively defending the the doubts on rollout of XOHM, the scene for WiMAX is not so bleak. After over 350 trials around the globe commercial networks are being added one a week signifying a new trajectory for Mobile WiMAX in the world.

http://www.mobile-wimax.in

Re: FLO Forum Promoting Free Component To Mobile TV

Amitabh Kumar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:18:18 -0000

A recent report from Arthur D. Little points out that the number of viewers of mobile TV today can be estimated at 40 million of which 18 million are in Korea and 17 million are in Japan. China has only 1.2 million while others are scattered in different countries. This shows how sharply the subscribers can vary and obviously this has a great deal to do with the business model.

Free Mobile TV is certainly a major attraction as users need to get used to it first before they commit to subscribe to any paid channels. This, of course is not to say that they will not pay for niche content.

but it gives room for thought when planning business models.

http://www.mobiletvhome.com

Re: MTNL Launches Mobile TV Service

Amitabh Kumar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:06:07 -0000

The year 2008 has seen a moon landing, but nothing could move the mandrins to bring out an enabling policy on mobile TV. The year 2008 had begun with the TRAI announcing the policy guidelines for Mobile TV and it was hoped that the licensing of the service will take place soon, afterall India is the second largest mobile market in the World. However the hope was belied. With MTNL launching 3G soon, at least some users would be able to see what mobile TV would look like and hopefully this will bring some pressure for licensing of these services.
http://www.mobiletvhome.com