The FCC has given approval to QUALCOMM to operate its MediaFLO mobile television service on channel 55 in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD, markets.
QUALCOMM was a high auction bidder for the national license to the channel, which was to be available after the DTV transition. However, the FCC has allowed stations to give up their channels early if it does not cause a significant loss of service to the television market.
In this case, QUALCOMM has made deals with WNUV-TV, Channel 54 in Baltimore, and WHAG-DT, channel 56 in Hagerstown, MD. Both have agreed to accept any potential interference that the transmissions might cause.
The MediaFLO service is expected provide up to 15 live streaming-video-program channels to mobile phone users in the market. Among that is a promise of local programming including news, weather, public affairs and emergency information.
