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151270
Fri, 11/26/2010 - 14:07
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http://m.oananews.org//node/151270
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MCOT launches Thailand's first commercial digital mobile TV service
BANGKOK, Nov 26 -- MCOT Plc has agreed to a joint venture with leading Information Technology (IT) company International Engineering Plc (IEC) to develop and provide a commercial 'digital mobile TV' service, set to launch a test run of the system this December.
Tanawat Wansom, MCOT president, and Sunjutha Witchawut, IEC executive chairman and chief executive officer, on Thursday signed a memorandum of cooperation. Mr Tanawat said MCOT has already been testing digital broadcasting systems serving mobile phones based on DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) technology since 2007.
Following a study of technical and business prospects to operate this service, Mr Tanawat commented that transmission of digital television with high-definition pictures will be more accessible to the audience, and the service could effectively meet the demands and fit the lifestyle of younger generations. Positive response has been seen from users in other countries which have applied this type of digital media technology, he added.
The commercial digital mobile TV service will use the existing UHF-58 channel covering mobile service users -- both handsets and automobile equipment -- and would not involve mobile phone operators, transmitting directly to users, MCOT president said.
Initially, the service will cover Bangkok and its vicinity. Both companies are planning to develop this service to further serve users nationwide.
"In Korea, more than one million users opt for digital mobile TV. In Thailand, it's expected there will be about 100,000 users of this service in the first year out of a population of about 65 million," said Mr Tanawat.
As mobile phones functionality continues to develop year to year, it would be likely more people will opt to buy new model of phones which support digital mobile TV systems.
Mr Tanawat added that for phones not supporting such system, owners can download an application as a signal receiver equipment, costing about Bt3,000, so their devices can function properly in accordance with the system. This receiver could also be used for computers, iPhones, and iPad devices.
Six free channels, from a potential total of fourteen, will be available for service free-of-charge at an initial stage, while additional services will be charged in the future. However, this has not yet been concluded, said Mr Tanawat. For programmes on digital mobile TV, the president said they will be produced by MCOT and its ally partners.
As MCOT will provide its own bandwidth, the project is expected to cost around Bt100 million, according to Mr Tanawat.
Meanwhile, Mrs Sunjutha said that as IEC is a leading provider of mobile phones in Thailand, the company was honoured to a be a part of fully developing this business in the country.
"IEC is an expert in communication technology, which will help facilitate the digital mobile TV project. We will also collaborate with MCOT and its allies in developing programmes' content and in production, as well as selecting domestic and foreign edutainment shows to meet the various demands of our target groups," said Mrs Sunjutha.
Some new programmes might be made to be available solely via the digital mobile TV, she added, while confident this option would meet the lifestyle demands of newer generations. (MCOT online news)
Tanawat Wansom, MCOT president, and Sunjutha Witchawut, IEC executive chairman and chief executive officer, on Thursday signed a memorandum of cooperation. Mr Tanawat said MCOT has already been testing digital broadcasting systems serving mobile phones based on DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) technology since 2007.
Following a study of technical and business prospects to operate this service, Mr Tanawat commented that transmission of digital television with high-definition pictures will be more accessible to the audience, and the service could effectively meet the demands and fit the lifestyle of younger generations. Positive response has been seen from users in other countries which have applied this type of digital media technology, he added.
The commercial digital mobile TV service will use the existing UHF-58 channel covering mobile service users -- both handsets and automobile equipment -- and would not involve mobile phone operators, transmitting directly to users, MCOT president said.
Initially, the service will cover Bangkok and its vicinity. Both companies are planning to develop this service to further serve users nationwide.
"In Korea, more than one million users opt for digital mobile TV. In Thailand, it's expected there will be about 100,000 users of this service in the first year out of a population of about 65 million," said Mr Tanawat.
As mobile phones functionality continues to develop year to year, it would be likely more people will opt to buy new model of phones which support digital mobile TV systems.
Mr Tanawat added that for phones not supporting such system, owners can download an application as a signal receiver equipment, costing about Bt3,000, so their devices can function properly in accordance with the system. This receiver could also be used for computers, iPhones, and iPad devices.
Six free channels, from a potential total of fourteen, will be available for service free-of-charge at an initial stage, while additional services will be charged in the future. However, this has not yet been concluded, said Mr Tanawat. For programmes on digital mobile TV, the president said they will be produced by MCOT and its ally partners.
As MCOT will provide its own bandwidth, the project is expected to cost around Bt100 million, according to Mr Tanawat.
Meanwhile, Mrs Sunjutha said that as IEC is a leading provider of mobile phones in Thailand, the company was honoured to a be a part of fully developing this business in the country.
"IEC is an expert in communication technology, which will help facilitate the digital mobile TV project. We will also collaborate with MCOT and its allies in developing programmes' content and in production, as well as selecting domestic and foreign edutainment shows to meet the various demands of our target groups," said Mrs Sunjutha.
Some new programmes might be made to be available solely via the digital mobile TV, she added, while confident this option would meet the lifestyle demands of newer generations. (MCOT online news)
