Hutchison 3G Ireland says that it has been awarded a licence by the local regulator, ComReg to trial broadcast TV services over mobile handsets based on DVB-H technology. The licence takes effect immediately and runs for one year.
Robert Finnegan, 3's Managing Director commented: "3 Italy was first in Europe to launch broadcast TV over mobile, so as a Group we are already leading the development of this new technology. Ireland has a high take-up of digital TV services compared to many EU countries with 42% of all households using digital TV services. DVB-H brings the benefits of Digital TV to mobile. Mobile TV is important to 3 and to the Irish market, as consumers demand more sophisticated mobile services."
3's sister company in Italy launched its DVB-H service called WalkTV earlier this year and is already broadcasting mobile TV to a large audience, with 140,000 customers signing up in just six weeks.
3's DVB-H tests in Ireland follow the success of a range of TV content available on 3 from Barclays Premiership highlights and the best of Father Ted, to 3's own music channel hosted by Tom Dunne.
