Mobile TV makes it possible to follow TV broadcasts almost anywhere, anytime. With Nokia's new smart phone, which makes it possible to receive TV programmes, you can watch TV programmes without sitting on a sofa in front of a TV.

Television programmes can, in practice, be broadcast either as a streaming service over a mobile network or, like the usual TV broadcast, over a purpose-built DVB-H network i.e. a mobile TV network. On the mobile network the broadcast is transmitted to each recipient separately over a two-way connection, so each viewer takes up his own share of the mobile network's transmission capacity, which restricts the number of viewers.

"With the mobile TV network the number of simultaneous viewers is not restricted. There can be millions of viewers - just as with normal TV," says Markus Lindqvist, who is responsible for mobile broadcast solutions.

"One mobile TV network can transmit simultaneously 20 to 30 TV programmes or channels with high-quality reception. For the consumer this means reduced broadcasting fees and better reception."

Greater diversity in supply

To watch a mobile TV the consumer needs a mobile phone equipped with a DVB-H receiver. In practice, there must also be a mobile TV network and a TV service offered through it.

It is easy to use a mobile TV. For example, Nokia N92 users simply need to open the Nokia N92 in view mode and press the Multimedia key. Other mobile TV features include watching-time of up to four hours, 30-second replays and recording TV programmes. Users can also set reminders to watch their favourite TV programmes, create personal channel lists and subscribe to TV channel packages.

"In the future there will be a wide range of functions in relation to the Internet, paying and an ever-increasing number of new functions for the mobile phone, of which the camera is just the beginning," Lindqvist relates.

Mobile TV will become a hit

Pilot DVB-H tests in their dozens are taking place around the world. Results have proved to be positive and greeted with enthusiasm. It has been announced that commercial services will begin this year in at least Italy, Indonesia and Finland.

Mobile TV is expected to be a new hit product. Market research institutes have published several forecasts about the development of the mobile TV market. Sales of devices in 2010 are expected to exceed one hundred million and most of the devices sold will be using DVB-H technology.

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The mobile phone is not just a phone, but a radio, camera, music player and television.