[mossop @ Jan 18th 2006 6:28PM]

Quote: T-DMB: Jun 2005 trial started in London with BT, Virgin Mobile, and HTC

Ha, I worked on this trial (Pilot actually, as this is a proven concept) as I work for Virgin Mobile.

The idea is simple, we used a modified HTC Feeler (aka: i-mate SP3i, Qtek 8020, T-Mob SDA) with integrated DAB receiver. The DAB receiver fed into Windows Media Player, and via 3x64kb streams we had 3 different TV channels playing live* (*Give or take 10-15secs). The system also feeds an EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) stream and has overhead for trickle downloads.

The streams are transmitted via the normal DAB transmission network, on bandwidth allocated for Data only under the licening agreement with the DTI in the UK.

Content is controlled using Windows DRM licensing, and licences could be downloaded directly with WAP or via push-message. This would allow for daily, weekly, monthly subscriptions, or one-off packages based on time/s viewed.

No reliance is placed upon the mobile network, or its infrastructure, apart from the re-selling and supply of licences to view content transmitted and any support required for the device used.

In my opinion, this system is better as no reliance is placed on the 3G network operator, it is simply a feed from a free to air DAB network with national coverage in the UK.

mossop