21 February 2008
Taiwan handset makers that have ventured into the development of mobile devices supporting DVB-T and DVB-H standards are likely to also develop devices supporting DVB-SH (digital video broadcasting-satellite services to handsets) technology in the near future now that the DVB-SH broadcast system is expected to enter commercial operations by the end of this year, according to sources in Taiwan's handset industry.
In addition to the main supporter Alcatel-Lucent, the DVB-SH standard has also drawn support from a number of solution vendors, handset makers and telecom operators, including Sagem, DiBcom, UDcast, TeamCast, Abertis Telecom, Eutelsat, SES Astra, and recently from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, the sources noted.
US-based ICO Global Communications will enter trial broadcasts through the DVB-SH system in March this year, while other member companies of the supporting camp will also begin a series of field tests starting in the second quarter, indicated the sources.
Companies in the US and France are expected to lead companies in other areas to bring the DVB-SH system into commercial operations before the end of 2008, with Eutelsat and SES Astra of Spain to jointly launch DVB-SH broadcasting programs in the first quarter of 2009, the sources added.
Taiwan-based companies such as High Tech Computer (HTC), E-Ten Information Systems and Gigabyte Communications that have already begun volume production of DVB-T and DVB-H devices will be able to put out DVB-SH products in the near-term, the sources speculated.
