Indonesia is now seriously seeking the best technology for mobile television. There are three options that have been implemented: Streaming-based, analog-based and digital video broadcast-based technology.

Nokia, a world leader in mobile communications, recently introduced the digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) technology-based handset, namely the N92, to Indonesia. As part of the Finnish company's N-series range for watching broadcast TV programs, the N92 will soon be available in Indonesia's market.

DVB, which is short for Digital Video Broadcasting, is a suite of internationally accepted open standards for digital television maintained by the DVB Project. The DVB project is published by a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) and European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

DVB systems distribute data by satellite (DVB-S and DVB-S2), cable (DVB-C), terrestrial television (DVB-T) and terrestrial television for handhelds (DVB-H).

DVB-H is based largely on the successful DVB-T specification for digital terrestrial television with a number of features designed to take account of the limited battery life of small handheld devices, and the particular environments in which such receivers must operate.

DVB-H can deliver up to 50 TV channels at low cost, over one network.

Actually, DVB-H has been attached to the Nokia 7710 since last year, but the N92 is the first fully integrated DVB-H mobile device in the Nokia N-series for watching broadcast TV programs.

The Nokia N92 offers easy access to TV programs without having to sit in front of a television set. Users can also set reminders to watch their favorite TV shows, create personal channel lists and subscribe to TV channel packages.

I got this phone last week for reviewing purposes. I think the N92 is a small and sophisticated mobile TV. Enhanced by a nice graphics user interface, this phone is supported by a large 2.8-inch anti-glare QVGA screen with 16-million colors and dedicated media keys that deliver a rich viewing experience.

I can watch CNBC and Indonesian TV programs like SCTV, TVRI and Metro TV with high-quality images.

Watching SCTV programs on the N92

But to operate this service commercially in the country, the industry needs an official regulation to back it up.

Since its regulation is still pending government officials and Parliament members' discussions, as stated by Usun Pringgodigdo, Business Development Manager Nokia Indonesia, DVB-H programs carried out by the N92 are still on trial.

However, according to Usun, the digital television offered by DVB-H will change the way we watch television programs. Audiences will watch shows they like whenever they want. "N92 makes prime-time anytime," he said.

"We are highly recommending this technology to the Government as the best digital video broadcast for Indonesia," Usun told me last week, referencing the other DVBs that have been successfully deployed in Indonesia.

Usun explained that his company has collaborative works with PT Mediatama Citra Abadi (MECA) and PT Surya Citra Televisi (SCTV).

SCTV, the television station, broadcasts the programs and MECA transforms these into DVB-H format and deliver them to the N92.

He said his company and its partners are still taking a study on how to charge the service. "We will offer other business models such as per-view or on-demand basis instead of the free-to-air mechanism."

Actually, there are two other mobile television technologies already operating commercially in the country. Based on the streaming-based technology, CDMA provider Mobile-8 launched TV Mobi last June. Post-paid users are charged Rp2 per kilobyte and Rp5 for prepaid users.

GSM provider PT Excelcomindo Pratama offers analog TV-based service on-the-go. A TV tuner is attached to the Smart i-mobile TV901 handset, which allows consumers to view the programs totally free.

So which one is the best? It is, of course, dependent on consumers' need. Or rather, all systems can also be operated simultaneously to let consumers choose and the market to respond.

But, for me, DVB-H is the best choice since it offers sufficient energy, frequency and is supported widely by handsets. And, of course, its open standard is a bonus!

 

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