Nokia plans new mobile TV trial in Sweden

HELSINKI - Mobile handset maker Nokia

said today that it would launch a commercial mobile TV trial with radio and TV

operator Teracom in Sweden later this year.

The test, to be run in Stockholm from October to December will allow 400

consumers to watch 14 TV channels and listen to four radio channels using Nokia

N92 mobiles, the Finnish company said in a statement.

Nokia said it also would supply the broadcast system for the pilot scheme,

using DVB-H (digital video broadcasting handheld) technology, which bypasses

regular telecoms networks by broadcasting directly to mobile phones.

Teracom, Sweden's largest radio and TV operator will be responsible for the

network, broadcasting and operating the platform, Nokia said.

The project will be run with ATG, Boxer, Sveriges Radio, Sveriges

Television/UR and Telenor.

Nokia

said the project would be its second mobile TV pilot in Sweden after it had

agreed on a deal last week with TeliaSonera Sweden for a complete DVB-H trial

system.

Participants in a pilot in neighbouring Finland last year said the study

showed solid consumer support for commercial mobile TV. Dozens of trials around

the world have shown that consumers are willing to pay from 5 to 10 euros

($6.30-12.60) per month for mobile TV.

Attracted by the prospect of a possible cash cow, the mobile and broadcast

industries are keen to launch commercial services.