DVB-SH Mobile Trials to Begin in Italy

PARIS/ROME, December 14: Alcatel-Lucent, 3 Italia and RAI
are teaming for the world’s first trials of the DVB-SH standard, which is
hoping to deliver more efficient spectrum usage and better reception than
previously allowed by mobile-TV platforms.

DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcasting-Satellite services to
Handhelds) is an evolution of DVB-H and promises higher spectrum efficiency and
allows integration with hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks. The trial will
take place in Torino and it will be overseen by RAI Technological Strategies
Dept., Raiway SpA and RAI Research and Technology Innovation Centre.

The first phase, from now until March, will look to validate
the capability of DVB-SH to make available a large number of high-quality
mobile TV channels. In the second phase, the commercial viability will be
tested, with a sample panel of customers being provided with commercial DVB-SH
handsets.

—By Mansha Daswani