Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless Form Live Mobile TV Pact
Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:38 am
Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless today announced that Qualcomm and its subsidiary MediaFLO USA Inc., are working together with Verizon Wireless to bring its customers real-time mobile video over the MediaFLO multicasting network in the United States. Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless expect to launch mobile TV services over the MediaFLO network in approximately half of the markets already covered by Verizon Wireless' CDMA2000 1xEV-DO-based broadband network, enabling Verizon Wireless to offer real-time mobile TV services of unprecedented quality to its subscribers. Verizon Wireless will be the first U.S. wireless service provider to offer MediaFLO when the network is commercially available.
Following the initial launch, Qualcomm and MediaFLO USA Inc. will continue to expand the MediaFLO network throughout other markets that cover the Verizon Wireless' VCAST and BroadbandAccess service areas. Verizon Wireless plans to offer mobile TV service to its subscribers through MediaFLO-enabled EV-DO handsets and use the MediaFLO network to deliver mobile TV services when the network begins commercial operation.
"MediaFLO USA's network will allow us to provide compelling real-time multimedia services to wireless customers, complementing our industry-leading wireless voice and data services - including our successful VCAST broadband multimedia service," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless. "As we aggressively expand our mobile multimedia offerings, MediaFLO will help us continue providing the most innovative multimedia services in the nation."
"Using the MediaFLO technology and network, Verizon Wireless will be able to offer its customers a real-time TV-like experience on their wireless phones unlike anything available on the market today," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO, Qualcomm. "With the MediaFLO network, we have developed a wireless multicasting solution that will offer high-value, high-quality branded content at an affordable cost to service providers."
MediaFLO USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, offering interactive wireless multimedia services to consumers in cooperation with U.S. wireless operators. The nationwide network, based on Qualcomm's FLO technology and using the MediaFLO Media Distribution System, will deliver multimedia content to mobile devices in the 700 MHz spectrum for which Qualcomm holds licenses with a nationwide footprint. MediaFLO USA Inc. expects to begin commercial operation of the new network in 2006, creating market opportunities for the entire wireless value chain and delivering on the promise of wireless multimedia to subscribers.
