Mobile TV due next year

DVB-H standard will allow much clearer pictures and up to 50 channels

Commercial mobile television services using the DVB-H standard will be launched next year, Nokia predicts.

Although some operators, notably 3, are currently broadcasting TV clips they are using the existing 3G network.

Nokia claimed that the new DVB-H standard will allow much clearer pictures and a selection of up to 50 channels delivered straight to the phone.

"Media houses will probably wait before developing content specifically for mobile phones to see how popular the services are," said Markus Lindqvist, director of server and network solutions at Nokia.

"The first services in 2006 will start in Italy and Malaysia. Broadly the market will take off for consumers by 2008."

Lindqvist added that four surveys taken worldwide by Nokia showed strong interest in mobile TV services. Those surveyed said that they would pay around €10 a month for unlimited access.

But these findings contradict research carried out earlier this month suggesting that 70 per cent of UK consumers do not want to watch TV on their mobiles.

Bob Fuller, chief executive at 3, said: "The mobile will never replace traditional television but it will enhance it. 3 and ITV share the belief that TV will be a major driver of growth in 3G usage."

However, all is not finalised in the mobile TV sphere as a standards war is looming. Trials using the competing DMB standard, developed from the digital radio DAB standard, are due to start in London early next year.