Alcatel, 3 Italia and RAI to Launch First Trial of Mobile TV

Alcatel-Lucent, mobile operator 3 Italia and Italian public broadcaster RAI are launching the first trial of Mobile TV based on the Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite services to Handhelds standard in Italy.

Digital Video Broadcasting – Satellite services to Handhelds (DVB-SH) is an evolution of DVB-H, which is providing higher spectrum efficiency and allows integration with hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks. The trial is based on Alcatel-Lucent’s Unlimited Mobile TV solution.

Alcatel-Lucent will provide the DVB-SH equipment, the network planning, the network integration and the technical support required for the good execution of the trial. Alcatel-Lucent’s DVB-SH low-power repeaters will be co-localized with the live UMTS sites of 3 Italia and connected to the UMTS antennas.

It is expected that this trial will allow demonstrating the improved reception quality made possible by the DVB-SH standard.

Olivier Coste, chairman of mobile broadcast activities at Alcatel-Lucent, said: “For the first time in the industry, a broadcast mobile TV trial will showcase a network capable to satisfy the service needs of both mobile operators and broadcasters, spanning indoor, outdoor and in-car mobile TV usage. We are particularly excited by this unique partnership with 3 Italia and RAI that will allow us to demonstrate the advantages for the Italian audience of Alcatel-Lucent’s Unlimited Mobile TV solution based on the DVB-SH standard.”