Cellular operators for unregulated mobileTV

NEW DELHI: Cellular operators, network vendors, technology providers such as Qualcomm and broadcasters have all demanded that there be no regulation on mobile TV when these services are permitted in the country.

They have also demanded that the policy for mobile TV should not specify as to which technology platform should be adopted by players providing this service, this is because, several cellular technologies are currently being developed for this service.

Mobile television is an application through which a consumer can watch real time channel feed on their mobile handsets.
In its recommendations, Bharti Airtel has said that the choice of technology should be left with the service provider and not regulated by TRAI.

The cellular company has also said that an additional license for mobile television should be mandatory only for non-telecom mobile television broadcasters. The company has also stressed on the need for a reasonable chunk of the broadcasting spectrum to be earmarked for the Mobile TV application and only a necessary minimum be left for the terrestrial broadcast.

Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI) believes that “time-shifting and location shifting” technologies have a huge potential in the country. However TRAI should only regulate spectrum allocation for the appropriate broadcast technologies like Media FlO as these technologies will need fresh allocation of spectrum. COAI has stressed on the fact ,” that 3G (MBMS, HSPA) is the fastest way of getting Mobile TV off the ground. In the Indian context expediting the 3G policy is a necessary step in the evolutionary path of Mobile TV.”

Technology providers like Qualcomm have suggested that the technology is in its nascent stage and which technology platform becomes popular with consumers depends on operator economies and spectrum availability as well as superior technology.

The company has pointed out that since satellite transmission suffers from the antenna size (gain) requirement and the poor in-building coverage, any mobile TV service that uses satellite transmission will need to be supplemented by terrestrial transmissions.

Zee Network has recommended that the government should issue Terrestrial TV licenses. Such license should be automatic to DTH operators who already have permission to operate a platform.