Mobile TV, a hype or a need?

Is mobile TV a hype, or a real need? The world today runs on mobile applications and devices. Think Blackberry, iPhone, N-series form Nokia etc. You can't imagine living whit-out anymore.

More and more people have access with their mobile device to high-speed data networks. GPRS, Edge, UMTS, HSDPA, ... have been and are being developed at the speed of light. And what is more intensive, and profitable, than video on a data carrier? Sure, high proces for those data packets are still a blocking factor. And maybe the minimum hardware requirements and setup procedures are also part of the problem. But I see a steady increase of the amount of viewers on the platform run by Telemak for Mobistar Mobile TV.

The future commercial launch of broadcast TV on mobile devices will certainly give a big boost to the delivery platform. DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) doesn't use data carriers but receives the signal from "the air". You don't pay for the packets you receive, but probably will pay a fee for accessing the service like you would cable TV.

I think that in the future, the mobile phone (device) will be the central remote control and distribution device of your media center. Receiving your Electronic Program Guide (EPG) via mobile data tranfert, programming your viewing time, receive the DVB-H channels on your mobile device, send it over bluetooth or WiFi to your TV, and you're all set. And use that same data access to send back your shopping list you just watched on TV. And why should it be your TV? We could imagine renting your TV space in the business lounge at the airport or use your hotel TV. How far is the future?

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