Mobile multimedia content will get its own nationwide
network in the US by 2006 if an $800m (£435m) project by Qualcomm
goes according to plan.
The wireless technology company, pioneer of CDMA (Code Division
Multiple Access), plans to build towers around the country to beam
music and video to several types of 3G handsets: CDMA2000-1x,
1xEV-DO (Evolution-Data Only) and WCDMA (Wideband CDMA). The
network will use 700MHz radio spectrum for which Qualcomm already
owns licences.
Cellular operators expect mobile multimedia to be a key driver
of 3G use. Qualcomm aims to save them the trouble and expense of
building their own infrastructures for delivering those multimedia
services.
Through a subsidiary called MediaFLO USA, Qualcomm plans to
offer the network as a shared resource for mobile operators and to
provide interactive multimedia services in conjunction with the
operators.
In addition to aggregating and distributing content from TV
stations and networks, cable and satellite operators and other
providers, MediaFLO will integrate unique content that each
cellular carrier would offer to distinguish itself from
competitors, according to Qualcomm.
The use of spectrum in the relatively low-frequency 700MHz band
will allow MediaFLO to build a network with far fewer towers than
are required for conventional cellular systems - 30 times to 50
times fewer towers, according to Qualcomm.
The system will be based on Qualcomm's FLO (Forward Link Only)
technology, and the company expects to start operating the network
commercially in 2006.
It will require about $800m of investment, some of which may be
funded by third parties, the company said. Qualcomm plans
eventually to spin off the MediaFLO business to its
shareholders.
The MediaFLO network will be able to support 50 to 100 channels
of national and local content, including as many as 15 live
streaming channels in addition to ones featuring video clips and
audio. Qualcomm expects to beat current mobile multimedia quality,
offering audio in stereo and video in QVGA (Quarter Video Graphics
Array) format at 30 frames per second.
Stephen Lawson writes for IDG News Service