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Among next generation technologies, mobile TV will gain more and more momentum, as mobile users get lots of useful content including information, films and other entertainment related content on their mobiles. More than 120 mobile network operators worldwide have rolled out commercial mobile TV services already, and consumers are becoming more discerning in their demand.

Point-to-Multipoint
At present, mobile TV content is streamed to mobile terminals/handsets in a point-to-point connection, which is not cost-effective. A point-to-multipoint communication can broadcast the same content to a large number of viewers. This is where MBMS or Mobile Broadcast Multicast Service steps in to help the network operators. MBMS is standardized by 3GPP as part of the WCDMA evolution and will be available for both GSM/EDGE and WCDMA connections. In MBMS, with point-to-multipoint (PTM) paradigm, ideal for mobile TV, data packets are simultaneously transmitted from a single source to multiple destinations.Unlike in the unicast paradigm, where data packets are transmitted from a single source to a single person. The MBMS technology allows a group of people interested in a particular program, in a particular area, to watch the same program simultaneously, via both existing GSM as well as UMTS networks. The MBMS technology supports HSPA in a situation where higher loads have to be transmitted in dense areas, saving significant network capacity and enabling a more efficient use of network resources, which ultimately results in cost saving for network operators.

Today, most mobile TV services worldwide are based on two-way point-to-point data transmission using unicast. Once MBMS is introduced commercially, which is expected in this year, the same content can be delivered to a mass number of terminals in a single transmission via multicast. But it doesn't mean that the introduction of MBMS will invalidate unicast. While MBMS can be used for the most popular programs for a registered multicast group, unicast can be used to deliver on-demand videos to the same group in a cost-effective way. This unique unicast-MBMS model will help achive personalization as well as delivering content to a mass market.

The Market
As MBMS requires only minor changes to the existing radio and core network protocols, it reduces the implementation cost of infrastructures like terminals and networks. With its capacity-boosting features, MBMS will stimulate the development of new and mobile mass-media services, generating revenue opportunity for network operators and content providers. It will enable service providers to offer cost-effective triple-play services for mobile handheld devices over a common service and network infrastructure.

The number of mobile TV users in the Asia Pacific region is expected to be around 25 mn by the end of 2008. While India has already emerged as the fastest growing telecom market in the world, MBMS and mobile TV will generate additional revenue stream for service providers and content providers. Though the number of triple-play services users will be less than simple voice and data users, the revenue generated by mobile TV will be very high as mobile TV services will be costlier than the simple services. Various stakeholders, including service providers, content providers, and advertisers benefit from service fees, content fees, advertising and paid interactions such as games, videos, and seasonal greetings. Before MBMS is introduced in the market, device manufacturers also have to come up with low-power consuming cell phone batteries, essential to support data intensive applications, and handsets for high memory capacity to support the high buffer requirements of mobile TV.

Kannan K
kannan@cybermedia.co.in