(2 December 2005 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Ericsson and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) have conducted the world's first live trial of interactive mobile TV. The trial demonstrates a new way of using mobile TV, which allows mobile phone users to vote, chat and communicate with a television presenter while watching their favorite show - all at the same time on their mobile.

Together, Ericsson and NRK launched a downloadable client for the existing interactive TV format, Svisj. For example, viewers can vote for which music video is to be played next by the touch of a button and may also chat with each other or the host of the program, states an official release.

Gunnar Garfors, director of Mobile Services, NRK Development Division, says: "This is interactivity with a vengeance. We are making it easier for our audiences to view mobile TV and participate in shows, no matter where they are."

Ericsson Mobility World VP Kurt Sillén says: "Our solution makes it possible for viewers to interact with a show that they are watching on their mobile device in a whole new way, creating a much richer TV experience with the help of the mobile channel."

For TV networks, this means increased traffic and new revenues from content fees, additional advertising and paid interactions such as voting, chatting and greetings. This opens the way to new TV formats, widens target groups and builds customer loyalty while giving end-users an advanced and enhanced TV experience.