Telekom Austria Group's mobile subsidiary, mobilkom austria, has presented its 'comprehensive' mobile TV portfolio, A1 TV PLUS, which combines UMTS streaming with DVB-H technology. It follows the launch of Austria's DVB-H network a week ago after mobilkom austria signed a cooperation agreement with Media Broadcast, the owner of the DVB-H licence in Austria.
Starting from June 13, 2008 a comprehensive portfolio of mobile TV services will be commercially available jointly with the DVB-H capable mobile handset Nokia N77. It will encompass 22 TV channels, 15 via DVB-H and 7 via UMTS streaming, as well as 5 radio channels. The mobile handset Nokia N77 will cost EUR 49 including the subscription to the "A1 Komplett" mobile package. Those customers who acquire this handset by August 14, 2008 will be able to enjoy the new DVB-H mobile TV channels free of charge until year-end 2008. Starting from August 15, 2008 A1 TV PLUS will be available for EUR 9 per month. Some of the DVB-H mobile TV channels can also be viewed outside the DVB-H coverage area via UMTS-streaming.
Moreover, A1 customers can also enjoy mobile TV on the basis of the LG HB620 UMTS mobile phone via the DVB-T technology. This mobile TV service encompasses 6 channels and is free of charge. The handset is also equipped with a 2 Mega-pixel camera and costs EUR 99 including the "A1 Komplett" package. With the Huawei E510 HSPA modem, this mobile TV offering can also be viewed on Laptops and PCs.
Hannes Ametsreiter, CMO Telekom Austria AG and mobilkom austria said: "Our customers can now choose between a wide range of mobile TV offerings based on different technologies, comprising a free-of-charge DVB-T basic package with 6 channels, which can be viewed also on PCs and laptops via a HSPA modem, and a full mobile TV offering with 22 TV channels and 5 radio programs via a combination of DVB-H and UMTS streaming for a very attractive price. For our customers it is not the underlying technology of significant importance but the price, the number of channels available and the mobile handset supporting mobile TV services. Thus, we have succeeded in creating a transparent mobile TV portfolio by providing each target group with an adequate offering tailored-made to their different needs."