PT MECA, SCTV and Nokia Cooperate to Pilot Broadcast Mobile TV Over DVB-H Technology in Indonesia by 2H2006
3GSM World Congress 2006, BARCELONA, Spain and ESPOO, Finland, February 13 / -- Global mobility player Nokia (NYSE:NOK) and EMTEK (Elang Mahkota
Teknologi) Group, an emerging player in Indonesia's fast-growing TMT (Telecommunication, Media, and Technology) sector through its subsidiaries PT Mediatama Citra Abadi (PT MECA) and PT Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV) today announced a cooperation to conduct a Mobile TV consumer pilot in Indonesia by the second half of 2006.
PT MECA is the main aggregator of the audio-visual content offering and the broadcast platform operator, while SCTV is the broadcast content provider, and Nokia will supply the Mobile Broadcast Solution as well as the Nokia N92 DVB-H enabled devices for the consumer pilot.
Scheduled to start from the second half of 2006 for six months, the pilot will enable the parties involved to accurately assess the viability of Mobile TV service in Indonesia. It will test the reception quality of the broadcast coverage, as well as explore the options of supporting different service schemes (advertising, subscription-based, and interactive services); and most importantly to gauge consumer expectations of the service going forward - all essential considerations towards bringing the service commercial in the future.
The pilot will use Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld (DVB-H) technology, a robust broadcast technology now used to support several extensive field trials globally. DVB-H technology is chosen based on its merit to support mobility, small screens, indoor coverage, optimized use of battery and in-built antenna that are specific to handheld devices such as mobile phones.
With this announcement, Indonesia becomes one of the leading countries in Asia to deploy Mobile TV - bringing the Indonesian consumers a step closer to watching their favorite TV programs on their mobile devices.
"We are excited and looking forward to leverage our technological know-how and content expertise, together with Nokia's leading edge mobile technology in setting a new trend for Indonesian consumers' TV viewing experience. This cooperation will serve as an important milestone in fulfilling EMTEK Group's vision in the multimedia domain. Equally important, we believe that this service will encapsulate other social merits by contributing to the educational development of the nation," said Eddy Sariaatmadja, Chairman of EMTEK Group.
"The business environment today is becoming more complex and competitive.
The formula towards staying ahead lies in the ability of a company to identify and offer unique experiences to the larger audiences. Mobile TV offers that unique consumer experience based on its element of newness and untapped potential in the market. MECA is positive about the service potential and is glad to take the leading position in fronting Mobile TV in Indonesia," added Ery Hartanto, Director of MECA.
"Today, PT MECA and SCTV put Indonesia on the global map with DVB-H. The imminent possibility of watching live television on your mobile device heralds the future of convergence between broadcast and mobile services. It will help pave the way forward with myriad opportunities that exist for broadcasters and mobile operators in the Mobile TV ecosystem in Indonesia. We are very excited to be part of this initial consumer pilot and eventually to bring Mobile TV to the dynamic Indonesian market," said Jawahar Kanjilal, Director, Multimedia Experiences, Nokia Asia Pacific.
In the Asia Pacific last year, Nokia spearheaded several Mobile TV showcases such as in Singapore (with Mediacorp & M1) and Malaysia (Astro & Maxis), as well as participated in industry-wide events showcasing simulcast Mobile TV content with players in the media and entertainment industry. Nokia is also in the midst of a 12-month DVB-H trial started last July with the Bridge Networks & Telstra in Australia for consumers based in Sydney.
DVB-H has been adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) as the Mobile Broadcasting Technology standard and many other regions of the world are expected to follow suit once their own trials are concluded.
In January 2006, Nokia, along with leading wireless and entertainment companies in the United States, formed the Mobile DTV Alliance - a new organization created to promote the growth and evolution of Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld (DVB-H), which is an open standard for broadcast digital TV reception on mobile devices.
What is Mobile TV Broadcasting?
Mobile TV Broadcasting allows the user to watch their favorite TV programs such as dramas, news, music, sports and documentaries on their mobile device. The service works by receiving a digital TV broadcast signal optimized for mobile devices from the air in much the same way as televisions at home do. Channel guides will also be broadcast allowing users to keep abreast of the latest programs on air. Broadcast Mobile TV is not the same as a streaming video service over 3G or GPRS where each recipient gets a separate copy of the program stream. Rather, one simultaneous TV stream can be received at any time by any number of users enjoying high picture quality and low battery power consumption.
More information about Mobile TV can be obtained from nokia.com/mobiletv
About EMTEK Group
Established in 1983, EMTEK Group has grown into a business conglomeration with business focus in the fields of telecommunications, information technology and multimedia solutions and services in Indonesia's fast growing TMT sectors. These business interests take place in the forms of multimedia & E-commerce operators, telecommunications operators, data & telecommunication infrastructure providers, IT systems integrator, and telecommunication retail and distribution support. Going forward, EMTEK Group strives to continuously seek to expand its business horizon within the TMT paradigm to become the most innovative and preferred multimedia services and IT solution provider in the region.
More information about EMTEK Group can be obtained from www.emtek.co.id
About SCTV
Founded in 1990 as a local FTA (free-to-air) TV station, SCTV has emerged as the second leading nation-wide station with area of coverage in 250 cities serving 160+ million population within the Indonesian archipelago. SCTV holds the exclusive rights for the Indonesia TV and radio broadcast of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. SCTV launched its video streaming services in 2001 and pioneered 3G trials through CDMA 2000-1x and GSM platforms in mid 2005. SCTV continually develops and refines its potentials and capabilities in order to position itself as the favorite TV station preferred by all family members.
More information about SCTV can be obtained from www.sctv.co.id
About Nokia
A market leader in the cellular industry in Asia Pacific, Nokia provides innovative, industry leading and market-relevant technology and products to around 20 diverse markets in the region.
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.
www.nokia-asia.com
www.nokia.com
Source: Nokia
