(15 May 2009 3:20 pm)

MUMBAI: In its latest initiative to woo subscribers, Doordarshan (DD) has decided to offer mobile television services on a private-public partnership (PPP) basis. It has invited expressions of interest from prospective consultants to draw up a roadmap for implementation.

Mobile television services make it possible for subscribers to view TV programmes on handheld or portable devices. To access the service, consumers will need a handset that supports the technology. Unlike 3G technologies, wherein TV and entertainment services may be in the form of short clips or two to three channels, mobile TV enables users to get as many as 30 high-quality channels on a handset.

Earlier, DD had launched Mobile TV services on a pilot basis in parts of Delhi using the DVB-H technology from Nokia. However, no one else presently offers the service because there is no clarity in government policy.

As yet, there is also no clarity on the technology to be used for the service. Though Trai had suggested keeping the policy technology-neutral, DD wants to go ahead with only DVB-H - a technology being promoted by Nokia.

Though the telecom regulator has given recommendations in favour of opening up the sector to private players, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has not taken a decision yet. In order to allow private players, the Government will have to open up terrestrial transmission in the broadcasting sector.

Currently, only DD is permitted to do terrestrial broadcasting while private players have to use satellite network. One of the objectives for proposing the PPP model by Doordarshan is to keep terrestrial system under exclusive control of the Government-run broadcaster.

Recently Nokia sold its DVB-H network division to Wipro raising doubts over the future development of the technology. Analysts have also pointed out that Nokia has not launched any new handset that supports DVB-H which could dampen Doordarshan's proposed plan.

According to the expression of interest, DD is planning to launch the service in 17 cities having population of over one million. The roll out will take place in five phases starting with the metros.

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