Spectrum auction may kick-start mobile TV

Last I heard, mobile TV has been trying to get a kick start for sometime now. Perhaps this time with a valuable chunk of the UK’s radio spectrum up for sale we will see this become a more viable option for companies across the board?

A valuable chunk of the UK’s radio spectrum will be auctioned off early next year, a move which could speed up the rollout of mobile television services.

Communications regulator Ofcom announced on Friday that 40MHz of spectrum, between 1452MHz and 1492MHz, will be made available in the first quarter of 2007.

This spectrum is suitable for a range of service, including mobile TV, WiMax and satellite digital radio. Companies who are awarded spectrum through the auction will have the freedom to choose which services they offer. Ofcom has indicated that it is prepared to split the available spectrum between more than one successful bidder.

Several telecoms operators are interested in launching mobile TV services in the UK, including BT and O2. Source: ZDNet