Multichoice Launches Mobile TV in South Africa
Today South Africa was introduced to a new mobile TV broadcasting service, [DStv] Mobile, from Multichoice.
The [DVB-H] based service, which will be available on trial basis at no cost until April, will be available on mobile phones, PC's and tablets.
MultiChoice has been threatening to burst onto the scene since 2005 when trialling began, however, frequency licensing and other white tape had prevented a commercial launch.
Nolo Letele, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice South Africa Group stated this was an essential move for the South African nation on the technology front:
It is important for the development of South Africa's [ICT] engineering capability that we constantly experiment on the cutting edge of new technologies.
Nolo was also keen to stress that any potential financial rewards from this investment wouldn't be seen in the short term:
Mobile TV is a long term opportunity that will require significant investment. The concept, technology and business models are still evolving globally and it will take many years to see any returns on this investment.
DStv Mobile can be accessed on a DVB-H enabled mobile handset or via MultiChoice's newly introduced mobile TV decoder, the Drifta.
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