Direct to Mobile - The Turf Wars


By Braham Singh


Direct to Handset - Land grab for mobile real estate

What if someone not knowing any better, declared current Direct to Mobile TV models too much hassle and rather than deploy DVB-H like Crown Castle Media recently did to bypass licensed cellular, why not just wait for WiFi to sort itself out which it's about to anyway? Once it's seriously ubiquitous with stringent conditional access (CA), content providers should line up.

For starters, let's agree the man's talking nonsense. WiFi'd buckle under the phalanx it needs vanquished in any face-off. Crown Castle's pioneering Pittsburgh trials over L-spectrum isn't the only one out offering high quality broadcast direct to mobile phones.

BT Livetime and Virgin Broadcasting are preparing European mobile phones for prime time via a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) variant on steroids that does TV and has interactive functionality. Other pilots are underway in Berlin and Helsinki. Back home, Qualcomm subsidiary MediaFLO plans to deploy and operate a US wide multi-channel TV and audio programming to 3G phones at 700MHz, a spectrum owned by Qualcomm, bypassing existing cellular operators.

Seeing encroachment on what was exclusive cellular real estate, some cellular operators in the USA are finally optimizing their existing 2.5G and 3G networks to enable multi-channel TV without the accompanying DVB-H, DMB T&S;, DAB or FLO network operator. However, it's clear their efforts lack passionate intent. These are voice folk, forced into uncharted waters and the unhappiness is palpable.

With plates evidently full, should the licensed establishment remain in their allotted seats, deal with each other like gentlemen and not worry about gatecrashers? No, because something's still amiss. The bum hasn't left the dinner table. The setting's been awry since WiFi appallingly waited for these gentlemen to ante up $15B for 3G spectrum before walking into the room uninvited.

Oblivious to intelligent argument WiFi now moves way beyond internet access to stake claim on services it has no right to handle. Abetted by users who should know better, it's established serious grass roots preponderance. In other words, we have a situation.

The young Chinese entrepreneur we dismissed earlier for espousing broadcast over WiFi is doing the rounds in Taiwan these days. Instead of investing in expensive IP TV or begging cellular operators into cooperating or slugging it out for appropriate DVB-H or DAB or DMB-S or DMB-T spectrum he whispers plans to blanket the country with new generation wide-area WiFi access points. If satellite and cable broadcasters let him into their content libraries, he promises riches from mobile phone users. Aware of Internet related security issues he pledges excellent CA from his website using Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) compliant Digital Rights Management (DRM) on Java applets that would drop into mobile phones. His own massive plans along with leveraged third party WiFi means enabled devices can access his broadcast pretty much from any residential location, coffee shop, hotel or restaurant in the populated areas.

Spooked at the web's easy reputation, broadcasters remain shy although some own extensive Chinese content with no IP related proscriptions. Our indefatigable young friend however corralled a niche content provider to allow him web cast select TV shows only to mobile phones under stringent CA. Tired of cellular companies refusing to pay for content other than through one-sided revenue share agreements designed to wring blood from small ring tone suppliers, the distributor plans revenge.

So, what is one to make of this? Deconstruct any competitive face off and one hits turf as cause. Today's big technology battle is for turf in the mobile handset. Hit hard by events since it overpaid for 3G, the licensed cellular establishment mulls over massive erosion to its property rights, the latest by broadcasters readying to directly address cellular users. As if that's not bad enough, dissed content distributors now plan to bludgeon Telcos with WiFi.

Having ignored content as a revenue source during their reign, the Telcos still dabble instead of seriously deploying and fight the wrong battle every time opportunity beckons or a threat rears its head. Peril does not lie in that they were ignorant when the opportunity arose, after all content became our headache only when the pipes broadened, but in their ongoing refusal to bone up. We see recent instances of large shareholders in the bigger telecos throwing in the towel and sell holdings rather than live through an excrutiating learning curve.

Our young Chinese anti-hero's alleged pedigree adds a dash of spice to an otherwise bland warning to Telcos. Rumor has it that he's the scion of the largest piracy outfit in the region. Burning their illegal DVDs on boats anchored outside any territorial waters, they give the word 'pirated' a new relevance. If someone from this background can shore up his act, walk away from the family business and now instead of doing a Napster focus on delivering content under strict CA using the latest technology to bring cable TV type security to the Internet, surely it behooves American and Asian Telcos to at least come to terms with what only constitutes possibly their entire future.

But while the cable guys got their act together on telephony and broadcasters directly access cell phones with media, while young entrepreneurs plot to drop CA applets into new breed mobile phones to enable licensed broadcast, the American and Asian telecom establishment outside of Japan, Korea and Hong Kong has yet to come to terms with even voice over broadband let alone IP TV and TV broadcast directly to hand phones. Obsessed with legacy, they continue riding a Vespa on the eight lane broadband highway.

They do so unforgivably, in the face of success stories that should hearten instead of being ignored. At the behest of their media obsessed Chairman, PCCW of Hong Kong ventured into IP TV in late 2003. Today, it is the only success story in their otherwise less than stellar performance. Bundled with Internet access, but not VoIP as that would be asking too much, PCCW's IP TV offering swept the territory overtaking the moribund Cable TV licensee with ease. Today, content providers scramble to sign up PCCW and Rupert Murdoch's Star TV recently announced its move from Wharf Cable to PCCW broadband.

Telcos easily forget the world no longer revolves around them. They finally appear to ponder IP TV but battle lines have already moved away from TV set tops and redrawn inside mobile phones. At best middle men between owners of content and the viewers, if the Telco's don't rise to the occasion, technology and regulation no longer prevent others from doing so. The paying consumer doesn't care a fig if he gets to see his football match over WiFi, DVB-H, DMB-T, S, or 3G as long as he views it at the least possible cost with the best possible quality and does not always have to rush home to catch it. The intellectual property owner too is ultimately blas? about the mechanics as long as he receives top dollar with full protection to his ownership rights. Maybe losing feudal rights to the mobile phone is what it takes for cellular operators to finally wake up and become the prime enabler between content owners and the mobile viewer.


More Resources

Cell Phone Abuse - Tips to Curb Employee Abuse
Looking for a way to save your enterprise or government organization tens of thousands of dollars a month or more on wireless mobile communication use? First off, it's going to take some discipline and innovative management for your cellular communication services to become more cost efficient and less prone to abuse. Cell phone and handheld usage can bleed a corporation's IT communications funding dry without so much as a turn of the head, or at least until it's too late.
Spider-man 3 on Your Cellphone Anyone?
The titanic developments in new technology have radically changed the way we watch TV and movies at home. Gone are the days when the TV set was a box in the corner with a 20in screen and a tinny speaker.
Hurricane Katrina Aftermath; Time to Launch Balloon Cell Towers
One of the most critical infrastructures for restoring order to a catastrophic disaster is that of communication. Communication is necessary for those in need to call in their needs and to alert authorities of growing problems.
Mobile Commerce: An Expectation for the Mobile Users In Pakistan
Mobile commerce is electronic commerce over wireless devices. Mobile commerce refers to transactions using a wireless device and data connection that result in the transfer of value in exchange for information, services, or goods.
The Convenience Of Prepaid Wireless Service And Phone Cards
Prepaid wireless service and phone cards are a convenient, reliable way to make prepaid local, long distance and international calls. In the old days it was very expensive and almost prohibitive to make a call overseas, especially to countries like Germany, France, Russia or Taiwan; never mind just to the next state.
UK Top 40 Singles: Should It Include Ringtones As Well?
I noticed two interesting stories today. The first one on the BBC stated that from Sunday the UK singles chart will include online downloads for the first time, which will have a major impact on the top 10.
Protective Accessories For Your Cell Phone
Like most electronic devices, cell phones are remarkably fragile. Your cellular phone needs to be protected from water, extreme temperatures, scratches, and unnecessary falls.
Lets Talk
In the eyes of a teenage girl cellular phones are the best invention since boys. My daughter has had a cell phone for awhile now but it wasy a prepaid one.
Small Business Phone Systems - A Brief Explanation
How a business presents itself to its customers has to be the single most important factor in its potential success. In days gone by usually your first contact with new customers would have been through your storefront or through word of mouth, passed on by other satisfied customers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Prepaid Cell Phones
We are constantly seeing advertisements on TV promoting cell phones and cell phones carriers with what they call great introductory offers if you sign up with them on their network.Is it worthwhile signing a one-year contract with a cell phone carrier?Well that is a question that you need to answer for yourself, while the pricing may look attractive you need to consider if you will be using the phone on a regular daily basis.
Cellular Phones and Television
What if you want to catch up on the morning TV news passing the time away on your morning train commute into the city. Stuck in line somewhere and want to find out what your favorite sport team is doing.
How Young is Too Young? Buying Cell Phones for Kids
Take a random tween, age 8-12, place them in front of a rotary phone and observe at the blank stare of bewilderment. Yes, gone are the days of the landline, pushed aside by the next wave of technological advancement.
PDA Cell Phones - the New Generation of Wireless Phones
It's time you know what the latest technological gadget is. In fact, this new toy is buzzing everywhere nowadays.
Prepaid Phone Cards Will Save You Money On All Your Long Distance Calls
If you make a lot of long distance phone calls, you may find that you can save money by doing what many people are doing: taking advantage of prepaid phone cards. Prepaid phone cards can be used to call just about any country in the world.
Camera Cell Phone Picture
Camera cell phone picture - recent development.Camera cell phone picture is a recent development.
Telephone Tips, Techniques and Etiquette
Whether using the telephone for business or personal use, using this communication tool effectively means being timely, communicating clearly and having the other person's interest in mind.1 - Plan and schedule your telephone calls so that you can allow time for off-track discussions.
Cell Phones Endanger Children
If your child uses a cell phone, take note. A recent news report has prompted renewed concerns about the safety of cell phone use, especially by children.
Cell Phone Cameras
A lot of myths exist regarding as to whether the cell phone cameras are any good or not. The fact that people require to admit that these cameras are also digital cameras and they exhibit the same facilities irrespective of the fact that their sizes are much smaller and their functionalities are curtailed due to this particular reason.
Cell Phone Wallpaper Bonanza
Nowadays teenagers are crazy about personalizing their cell phone and about being able to make the difference. For that, they use different and complicated ringtones, logos, reminders and so on.
Cell Phone Batteries, Money Saving Tips
It's hard to imagine what the world did before the use of cell phones! We have become so dependent on having a cell phone that we tend to panic if we forget it at home or if the battery dies. Cell phones are an important part of most everyone's life that allows them to be reachable 24/7 for family, friends and business associates to contact them.

More Mobile & Cell Phone Information:

Related Articles

Cell Phone Abuse - Tips to Curb Employee Abuse
Looking for a way to save your enterprise or government organization tens of thousands of dollars a month or more on wireless mobile communication use? First off, it's going to take some discipline and innovative management for your cellular communication services to become more cost efficient and less prone to abuse. Cell phone and handheld usage can bleed a corporation's IT communications funding dry without so much as a turn of the head, or at least until it's too late.
Spider-man 3 on Your Cellphone Anyone?
The titanic developments in new technology have radically changed the way we watch TV and movies at home. Gone are the days when the TV set was a box in the corner with a 20in screen and a tinny speaker.
Hurricane Katrina Aftermath; Time to Launch Balloon Cell Towers
One of the most critical infrastructures for restoring order to a catastrophic disaster is that of communication. Communication is necessary for those in need to call in their needs and to alert authorities of growing problems.
Mobile Commerce: An Expectation for the Mobile Users In Pakistan
Mobile commerce is electronic commerce over wireless devices. Mobile commerce refers to transactions using a wireless device and data connection that result in the transfer of value in exchange for information, services, or goods.
The Convenience Of Prepaid Wireless Service And Phone Cards
Prepaid wireless service and phone cards are a convenient, reliable way to make prepaid local, long distance and international calls. In the old days it was very expensive and almost prohibitive to make a call overseas, especially to countries like Germany, France, Russia or Taiwan; never mind just to the next state.
UK Top 40 Singles: Should It Include Ringtones As Well?
I noticed two interesting stories today. The first one on the BBC stated that from Sunday the UK singles chart will include online downloads for the first time, which will have a major impact on the top 10.
Protective Accessories For Your Cell Phone
Like most electronic devices, cell phones are remarkably fragile. Your cellular phone needs to be protected from water, extreme temperatures, scratches, and unnecessary falls.
Lets Talk
In the eyes of a teenage girl cellular phones are the best invention since boys. My daughter has had a cell phone for awhile now but it wasy a prepaid one.
Small Business Phone Systems - A Brief Explanation
How a business presents itself to its customers has to be the single most important factor in its potential success. In days gone by usually your first contact with new customers would have been through your storefront or through word of mouth, passed on by other satisfied customers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Prepaid Cell Phones
We are constantly seeing advertisements on TV promoting cell phones and cell phones carriers with what they call great introductory offers if you sign up with them on their network.Is it worthwhile signing a one-year contract with a cell phone carrier?Well that is a question that you need to answer for yourself, while the pricing may look attractive you need to consider if you will be using the phone on a regular daily basis.
Cellular Phones and Television
What if you want to catch up on the morning TV news passing the time away on your morning train commute into the city. Stuck in line somewhere and want to find out what your favorite sport team is doing.
How Young is Too Young? Buying Cell Phones for Kids
Take a random tween, age 8-12, place them in front of a rotary phone and observe at the blank stare of bewilderment. Yes, gone are the days of the landline, pushed aside by the next wave of technological advancement.
PDA Cell Phones - the New Generation of Wireless Phones
It's time you know what the latest technological gadget is. In fact, this new toy is buzzing everywhere nowadays.
Prepaid Phone Cards Will Save You Money On All Your Long Distance Calls
If you make a lot of long distance phone calls, you may find that you can save money by doing what many people are doing: taking advantage of prepaid phone cards. Prepaid phone cards can be used to call just about any country in the world.
Camera Cell Phone Picture
Camera cell phone picture - recent development.Camera cell phone picture is a recent development.
Telephone Tips, Techniques and Etiquette
Whether using the telephone for business or personal use, using this communication tool effectively means being timely, communicating clearly and having the other person's interest in mind.1 - Plan and schedule your telephone calls so that you can allow time for off-track discussions.
Cell Phones Endanger Children
If your child uses a cell phone, take note. A recent news report has prompted renewed concerns about the safety of cell phone use, especially by children.
Cell Phone Cameras
A lot of myths exist regarding as to whether the cell phone cameras are any good or not. The fact that people require to admit that these cameras are also digital cameras and they exhibit the same facilities irrespective of the fact that their sizes are much smaller and their functionalities are curtailed due to this particular reason.
Cell Phone Wallpaper Bonanza
Nowadays teenagers are crazy about personalizing their cell phone and about being able to make the difference. For that, they use different and complicated ringtones, logos, reminders and so on.
Cell Phone Batteries, Money Saving Tips
It's hard to imagine what the world did before the use of cell phones! We have become so dependent on having a cell phone that we tend to panic if we forget it at home or if the battery dies. Cell phones are an important part of most everyone's life that allows them to be reachable 24/7 for family, friends and business associates to contact them.