Nokia releases air interface of its mobile TV solution

Nokia announced that it will make the air interface specifications of the Nokia mobile TV solution publicly available for interested parties. Based on Digital Video Broadcast – Handheld (DVB-H), the end-to-end solution makes it easy for operators and service providers to roll out mobile TV services. The air interface specifies how mobile TV terminals interconnect with the network end of the mobile TV solution.

The Nokia mobile TV solution is based on available open standards such as the DVB-H radio layer standard, which was approved in 2004 by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Some additional application layer specifications are in the process of being finalized by standardization bodies.

DVB-H is a new technology that enables broadcast transmission of several television, radio and video channels to mobile devices. It combines digital broadcasting standards with specific features for mobile devices. To receive DVB-H transmissions, devices require an additional integrated receiver.

The Nokia mobile TV solution is a full mobile TV system comprising terminals, servers and network components. Currently mobile TV services using DVB-H technology are being piloted in many countries around the world. Commercial mobile TV services are expected to start in 2006.