3 and Ericsson are evaluating Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) in Australia, a means of delivering mobile TV to the mass market over existing 3G networks.
Based on 3GPP standards, MBMS delivers multimedia content over third-generation networks — without the need for new infrastructure or new spectrum — to an unlimited number of concurrent users.
Unlike DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting for Handhelds), MBMS provides two-way communication through a data “backchannel”, which allows for interactive services such as casting votes for a particular program or downloading supplementary content like screensavers and games.
Another advantage in MBMS over the one-way (unidirectional) delivery method currently used by 3 is the saving in radio capacity, which head of content at 3 Annie Mackin says will hopefully translate into cost benefits for customers.
Over the past six weeks,…
