Qualcomm plans use of MediaFlo for data download

LONDON: Qualcomm’s broadcast frequencies assigned to its Flo TV services may now be used to download Internet pages. An EE Times report said the company began trials of this technique with mobile phone service provider AT&T in the United States in August.

Flo TV is a live television service that is available on CDMA phones and is enabled by Qualcomm's MediaFLO technology. It was introduced in 2007 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm. Although the service has not been a huge success, congestion of the cellular network is an indication that operators and broadcasters are interested in using the broadcast spectrum to push additional data to subscribers.

A recent Qualcomm technology day, in London was the venue for demonstrating the kinds of services MediaFlo could enable by using an iPad terminal. A selection of online magazines was shown, that could be downloaded using MediaFlo technology over night. Sources pointed out that this would relieve the burden on the interactive 3G spectrum and also save costs.

Flo-TV was introduced on phones supplied by Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless and carries channels from major networks including ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox and MTV.