Evaluating the Options for Mobile TV and Radio Broadcasting in Western Europe 

Dr Alastair Brydon, Co-Founder, Unwired Insight

Dr Alastair Brydon and Dr Mark Heath

Co-Founders of Unwired Insight

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"Mobile operators need to decide quickly how they will deliver mobile TV and radio services. Western European operators are faced with a confusing choice of technologies, including DAB-IP, DVB-H, T-DMB and TDtv, and also need to decide whether to share a network or to build their own. We evaluate the options commercially and financially."

 

Product overview

Recent trials have confirmed strong consumer interest in mobile TV and radio, and these will soon become must-have services for mobile operators. However, if mobile TV and radio prove as popular as expected, 3G networks could quickly run out of capacity, requiring operators to employ broadcasting technologies. Mobile operators in Western Europe have to choose among several broadcasting technologies - DAB-IP, T-DMB, DVB-H and TDtv - or enhance their existing 3G networks. Operators that decide to use a broadcasting technology must also decide whether to build their own broadcasting networks or to share with other players the cost and risk of deploying a broadcasting solution.

Based on the results of detailed financial modelling, this report identifies and evaluates the realistic deployment options for each of the mobile broadcasting technologies that is likely to be used in Western Europe. The report explains which of these options are most likely to be commercially viable for different operator types and circumstances, and quantifies the take-up and revenue per service user needed to achieve an adequate financial return from each.

 

This report answers your key questions

Evaluating the Options for Mobile TV and Radio Broadcasting in Western Europe answers your key questions:

  • What do early trials of mobile broadcasting technologies indicate about consumer requirements, likely take-up, usage and ARPU?
  • What are the most important factors that operators need to consider in selecting the right broadcasting technology and deployment strategy?
  • What are the most realistic broadcasting technology and deployment options, and how do they compare? For each option, what level of take-up and ARPU will be required to achieve an adequate financial return?
  • How do different spectrum licence costs and operating bands (UHF and L-band) affect financial viability?
  • Should mobile operators own a broadcasting network or share a wholesale network with others?
  • Could DAB-IP be an attractive short-term option in countries where DAB radio has been deployed extensively?
  • In what circumstances could it be commercially viable for a mobile operator to build its own DVB-H network?
  • Has T-DMB already lost the battle against DVB-H in Western Europe?
  • Could TDtv be a better option than DVB-H for larger operators?
  • Is a dedicated broadcasting technology necessary at all? In what circumstances could operators avoid the expense and revenue dilution of broadcasting networks and rely solely on 3G?