Microsoft, Swisscom subsidiary launch test of IPTV service
Microsoft and Bluewin, a subsidiary of telecommunications provider Swisscom, have launched a test of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) delivered via ADSL.
The test will provide 25 television channels to 600 homes via broadband connection. Five video-on-demand pay TV channels will be included.
The test is scheduled to last four months. A nationwide launch in Switzerland is planned for 2005.
For more information, visit www.swisscom.com.
Chinese DTV set production, sales to reach 18 million units by 2008
China’s conversion from analog to digital television and healthy electronics exports will translate into a sevenfold increase in the production of digital television sets and set-top boxes for digital TV by 2008, according to a new study published by market research company iSuppli.
One-third of DTV terminals, with a market value of $11 billion will be built in China by 2008. Seventy-two percent of those DTV products will be consumed by the Chinese market, it said.
By 2008, DTV set output will reach 18 million units and digital set-top box production will hit 34 million units, according to the report.
For more information, visit www.isuppli.com.
South Korean broadcasters look to DMB to deliver traffic news
Broadcasters in South Korea are taking initial steps to use data channels to broadcast traffic information to consumers equipped with special cell phones to receive terrestrial digital media broadcasting (DMB) when they are on the move.
Standards for terrestrial DMB have not yet been set, but that hasn’t discouraged the nation’s three major broadcasting companies, KBS, MBC and SBS, from working toward the goal of giving mobile consumers timely traffic help.
SBS is testing an on-demand traffic and travel information service in Seoul. KBS has an existing satellite delivery system but will pursue terrestrial DMB delivery for traffic and weather information once standards are established.
MBC will rely on traffic information broadcast through its FM network as a source for a future DMB service.
