According to Juniper Research, the increasing availability of mobile TV enabled handsets will adversely impact the prospects for dedicated mobile broadcast TV networks. However, while more than 330 million users worldwide will own broadcast TV-enabled handsets by 2013, less than 14% will opt for mobile pay TV services, generating global annual revenues of $2.7 billion by 2013 — much lower than previously forecasted.
Report author Dr Windsor Holden suggests that the development of terrestrial TV-capable receivers with low power consumption, and the availability of these receivers in mass market handsets, throws into question the business case for the deployment of a dedicated network in many markets.
The report notes that operator decisions to offer DVB-T handsets in Germany has effectively closed the door for DVB-H in the country. One the other hand, the strong take-up of analogue TV handsets in China and of one-seg handsets in Japan – indicates that free-to-air services will continue to predominate.
However, the report also notes that this trend in turn has created a further opportunity for streamed TV services.
Other findings from the report include:
- In terms of end-user revenues, the US will be the largest single market for mobile broadcast TV services in 2013, followed by South Korea and China.
- MediaFLO services are likely to be deployed in parts of Asia and in the UK by the end of 2010.
- Adoption levels for streamed TV packages are higher than previously envisaged, reflecting the reduction in anticipated deployment of dedicated mobile broadcast TV networks.
More information about Juniper’s report titled “Mobile TV: Opportunities for Streamed & Broadcast Services, 2008-2013 (Fourth Edition)” is available from their website.