MobileTV has completed the technical tests of the Korean Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) standard in Gauteng.
The company announced in December that it was no longer interested in the DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) broadcasting format.
It decided instead to adopt DMB technology, coupled with the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) format.
Licence please
Founder and chairman of MobileTV Mothobi Mutloatse says the company has now handed in its two submissions - the technical report, as well as the initial request towards formalising its application for a permanent commercial licence throughout SA.
MobileTV - formerly known as the MobileTV Consortium - was given a non-commercial licence in September, by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA), to test the technical abilities of DMB over a 12-month period.
The company said once testing was complete it would apply for a permanent licence from ICASA. It needed to produce a technical report stipulating the capabilities of DMB technology.
MobileTV is partnering with Sentech as a signal distributor and using DAB spectrum, which is already available at the state signal distributor's tower.
“We are more than ready to roll out the ubiquitous media revolution called DMB within two months of licensing.”
He says this is sure to introduce innovations of an interactive nature in both television and radio services, “turning the whole print and electronic media and advertising sectors alike on their heads”.
The DMB/DAB/DAB+ technology is widely used in over 40 countries, says Mutloatse.
Supporters' corner
He also says the company has more than 10 Korean mobile device manufacturers and broadcasters backing its bid, including skills development, training and logical support.
GM of Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) Gu-Yeon Hwang is excited at the prospect of assisting MobileTV to launch DMB commercially in SA, says Mutloatse.
He adds that, in a joint statement signed by KBS, Insmobile, OTT, Coretrust and PKB World, the Korean nationals state: “We believe SA to be a strategic country in Africa, which will open a new chapter in the history of mobile broadcasting of DMB, and this will ultimately promote exchanges of very useful ICT between SA and South Korea as well.”
The chairman says MobileTV's application for a permanent DMB licence is supported by UK-based VDL, which supplied MobileTV with the field measuring equipment to complete the technical tests; and the International DMB Advancement Group (IDAG) in Norway, of which MobileTV is the only African member.
“The high acceptance level makes receivers cheaper and plentiful, and gives momentum to co-operation on services and business models across borders,” says IDAG president Gunnar Garfors.
Concilium Technologies, in Johannesburg, provided MobileTV with the Harris Broadcast Transmitters for the tests. It says the deployment of DMB in SA would generate a positive impact in several areas, including providing technical jobs for young adults looking for opportunities in the world of technology, and stimulating economic development.
Application denied
MobileTV had initially applied for DVB-H spectrum from ICASA, but was denied, as it did not have a broadcasting licence, according to the regulator.
Ovum senior analyst Richard Hurst previously said it will be end-users who dictate which standard works better.
He adds that the key is going to be what the operators get out of it. “It's just the test phase now and we do need to go through that phase and see what the rest of the world is doing.”
A controversial invitation to apply from ICASA resulted in the authority granting high-frequency radio spectrum licences for mobile TV services in multiplex 1 to etv, with capacity of 40%, and MultiChoice, for capacity of 60%.
Share