So, the AT&T deal with Qualcomm to bring the mobile TV technology MediaFLO to its stable of mobile phones (including a few Nokia handsets) didn’t exactly help calm the Nokia-Qualcomm battle this year. In fact, the incessant quarreling was probably the reason that AT&T had to delay launching its MediaFLO service until next year.
We’re hearing from AT&T that they are working to bring MediaFLO “as soon as possible” in 2008. The network-tests are reportedly going very, very well” and AT&T wants to “make sure the user experience is absolutely optimal” before they go live with the mobile TV service.
So, network test’s are going honky-dory but AT&T wants to delay the launch of MediaFLO? Sounds like the hold-up might have more to do with Qualcomm and Nokia’s bitter-feelings than AT&T’s desire to ensure “absolutely optimal” performance. You see, Nokia is pushing DVB-H as the mobile TV standard of choice, but AT&T’s MediaFLO deal with Qualcomm will require Nokia to do more business with Qualcomm – something we’re sure Nokia is loath to doing.
In any case, AT&T’s MediaFLO-based mobile TV offering will be pretty much on par with Verizon Wireless’s VCAST TV service (which has been up and running for, like, ever). Unfortunately, we’re also hearing that AT&T’s prmoise of “advanced MediaFLO capabilities” may not make the cut. Datecasting and music features aren’t in the cards for AT&T’s MediaFLO, sorry.
[Via: MocoNews]