Scarcity of spectrum hits mobile TV launch

Touted as a tool that could revolutionalise the media landscape in India, mobile TV in a separate network and with dedicated frequency bandwidth may not see the light of the day. Sanjib Kr Baruah reports.

Touted as a tool that could revolutionalise the media landscape in India, mobile TV in a separate network and with dedicated frequency bandwidth may not see the light of the day.

The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has opposed to the introduction of the service, sources said.

'Scarcity of dedicated spectrum for mobile TV is the key reason for the government's opposition.'

The ministry's stand on the issue is in consonance with that of the department of telecom, which has the mandate in the allocation of all spectrum usage. DoT opposes the allocation of separate and dedicated spectrum for mobile TV.

At present, mobile TV is already being used in 3G networks but the picture quality is poor and the number of channels are limited.

Besides requiring a dedicated spectrum in the prime band, mobile TV also demands a technology which is different in terms of network infrastructure. Most handsets don't support mobile TV which among things also require sophisticated LCD display.

"While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been emphasising on neutral technology on which the entire range of platforms can operate, mobile TV needs specific technology. Such devices may also be very costly for the common man,' the source said.