Wireless industry brings TV to cell phones

Outside the United States, 400,000 people in Italy are using a cell TV service launched less than a year ago by the mobile carrier 3, a unit of Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.

Those customers, representing nearly 6 percent of the carrier's 7 million users, are paying as much as 29.99 euros ($40) extra per month to get TV on the go.

In Korea, several million have signed up for mobile TV services from TU Media Corp. and others since 2005.

Most of the talk around it's ability to take off in the U.S. has been a thumbs-down.

However, in early March, Verizon Wireless introduced an eight-channel service that broadcast programming, much of it identical to that being shown on regular TV, including shows from CBS, Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox and NBC.

The service, delivered over an $800 million network being built bT&T Incy Qualcomm Inc. and slated to expand to 20 channels, will also be offered later this year by the new AT&T's Cingular Wireless under a recent deal.

Undeterred by the loss of these two major wireless providers, a rival venture started by cell tower operator Crown Castle International Corp. is forging ahead with a trial network across the New York City area. The venture, Modeo, says it remains confident it will launch the service in 30 major markets at a cost of up to $500 million.

No doubt about it - mobile tv is here.

Whether it flies or not is another question.

source: DailyIllini