mocoNews.net - @ CES: Mobile DTV Gets Commitments From 63 Stations For 2009 Rollout

The Open Mobile Video Coalition held a press conference today to announce today that it has received commitments from 63 stations in 22 markets, covering 35 percent of the U.S., to roll out mobile digital TV using existing spectrum and technology installed as part of the digital TV transition. The technology will allow local stations to broadcast live programming to mobile phones by only slightly modifying their existing digital infrastructure, which is drastically different than streaming video over the mobile network, or building a new TV network from the ground up, as in the case with Qualcomm's MediaFLO. Gannett (NYSE: GCI) Broadcasting's President David Lougee: "Unlike cellphone networks that can be overwhelmed, we can get information out to millions of people simultaneously. This new service will let citizens on the move stay in touch with what's going on in their communities, whether it's news, sports, or weather, more effectively than any other medium."

Representatives at the press conference ranged from broadcasters, like Gannett, NBC and Scripps, as well as technology partners such as Samsung, LG (SEO: 066570) and Harris. Harris's Chairman and CEO Howard Lance: "What's exciting to us is that we can leverage the significant infrastructure that's already in place?.We are demonstrating 95 percent of the capabilities developed today that are ready to go, and we are here to say that we'll finish the last 5 percent in the next 60 days. We are ready to go into production, and start shipping products to allow the rollout."

The coalition has really made inroads fast. They've had to write a standard for the technology, get it approved (which is slightly still in process), and get all the various broadcasters around the country on the same page. They also really have something that has true potential?they ability to broadcast local TV stations to mobile phones, MP3 players and screens in automobiles without making that big of an investment in new infrastructure. One TV tower has the ability to serve an radius of up to 25 miles indoors and outdoors?pure outside coverage ranges up to 40 miles. The standard also supports a variety of content. In addition to the live TV broadcasts, identical to what people are watching on TV, they can stream other content, such as weather and traffic. Users will also have recording, or DVR, capabilities. However, they still have a lot to figure out, like how best to distribute the products?through wireless carriers, or retailers or both.