Nokia pilots TV by mobile phone

TV on mobile phone handsets is being tested by 500 subscribers in Finland, Nokia announced this week.

Real-time television programming from several popular outlets was transmitted to Nokia 7710 smartphones fitted with special accessory appliances in the Helsinki capital region, Nokia reported.

"The Nokia smartphone also enables direct links to the internet for access to background information on TV programs or sports results," the firm stated.

"The project tests mobile TV services and consumer experiences, as well as the underlying technology."

Subscribers are also able to receive popular radio programs in the test, which is scheduled to continue until 20 June.

Several other companies are cooperating in the test, including Digita Oy of Finland, which is managing the service, and mobile phone customers from providers Elisa and Sonera.

Other participating firms include Finnish broadcasting company YLE, and programming units of MTV, Nelonen, CNN, BBC World, Euronews, Eurosport, ViVa Plus, and Fashion TV.

Nokia noted that the test conforms with the DVB-H standard, which has been adopted by the European telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).

In the US, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments have been developing infrastructure for networks targeted to deliver television programming to mobile handsets later in the decade.

Some industry observers, however, remain sceptical about demand for mobile TV.