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Mobile TV: a hot topic in the past few weeks that led to many confusing comments. I will try to explain the situation, and avoid throwing the baby with the water. The Mobile TV label seems wrongly used when indifferently used for streaming or broadcasting. I would prefer to use Mobile Video for streaming application and Mobile TV for broadcasting application. The two applications do not involve the same features, same network and same interest.

Mobile video streaming is key for 3G networks. But it is difficult to say now if it will be a success. Most current or short-term offerings include video clips, specialized content or even unique content. DoCoMo and SKT can witness of huge ARPU/megabyte cuts leaving them dependent on increased usage of new and unproven 3G services. Analysts, such as Research and Markets, however, forecast mobile video services will account for about 15% of total wireless data revenues by 2009. Some others are even more conservative.

Mobile TV is not using the 3G network, just the handset, as the network is not made to support television transmission. Mobile operators can only provide a return path (useful for interactive TV when it takes off). Users will be able to see TV channels on their DVB-H-equipped handset. But there are remaining problems (low spectrum, regulation, roadmap, poor definition and

return on investments). So many analysts (Strategy Analytics, Analysys, ) warn about unfounded momentum and uncertain demand.