As a new battle has arisen in recent weeks

Personal mobile television (TMP) is still alive. In the weeks to come, TDF and Virgin should be able to prepare the launch of their offer of TV on mobile in "broadcast" (without using the operators 3 G networks, as is currently the case), scheduled for autumn 2011. Unsurprisingly, 16 channels authorized to issue the CSA put agree on the designation of TDF as multiplex operator. 15 of them have already signed the agreement, 16edoit do this Monday. The announcement must be formalized Monday, June 7 by the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel.

A failure to be fully packed by the project, television channels therefore nothing found fault with the offer of Virgin Mobile and TDF presented a month ago and a half. It must be said that investments (several million euros) are all supported by TDF, then this services to Virgin, through a levy per month and per subscriber. To the deployment, the new multiplex operator said that the offer should seduce 1 million French. A figure that only Virgin Mobile will probably wrong to reach him who levelled off today to 1.7 million customers. Other operators, the TMP is clearly not a priority at the present time. Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom prefer build on the 4 G. But, if the Virgin Mobile offer met his public, some might review their positions.

Included in packages

On the offer itself, Virgin maintains the Cape. It should be included in all-inclusive packages, offering voice, data and television "broadcast". Several studies had shown that customers were not willing to pay more than 5 euros per month for a new television service, if quality is there. Virgin put, him on an offer "painless" for the consumer, to grow its customer base.

Arms of iron on the standard

The TMP paper however is far from over. As a new battle has arisen in recent weeks. Little by little, the DVB - H, the promoted standard originally by the European Union, has lost its support. In the few countries where the TMP has been deployed, it has also disappeared (Switzerland) or would be about to give way to other standards (Austria, Italy). In France, the scenario of a change in standard took the magnitude. In this case, should return to the Government order which defined the DVB - H broadcast standard.

TDF discusses American Qualcomm with, but also look at the Chinese standard HBMS. The American standard would be in pole position. Qualcomm has already to a solid experience with a service activity in the United States and a park of compatible terminals than DVB - H phone. The US company would also be in discussions with Apple to facilitate the integration of its chips in the iPhone and the iPad, either in a next version or via an adapter directly into the hull or in the atrium. Finally, non-negligible advantage, the deployment would be cheaper than with DVB - H, Qualcomm is prepared to co-finance investments. Is that, politically, the choice would grind teeth. "It will have a minimum of economic benefits for French companies who have relied on the DVB - H, says industrialist." Otherwise, there is blocking. "The solution could come from the DVB - SH, a standard combining the satellite, she also studied by TDF.