New York (NY) - AT&T announced today that it will launch its mobile TV serivce on Sunday.  Set to compete directly with Verizon's V Cast TV, AT&T will allow users to watch live video programming, some of which is a direct simulcast from cable TV, for $15 a month.

Qualcomm, which also operates Verizon's service, is the technical backbone for AT&T's live mobile TV structure.  Qualcomm's MediaFlo technology allows mobile spectrum to access a separate set of airwaves that carry TV signals specific to cell phone reception.

AT&T's service will carry many of the same channels already available on Verizon, including CBS Mobile, ESPN Mobile TV, Comedy Central, NBC 2 Go, and MTV.  However, it also has two exclusive channels - CNN Mobile Live and "Pix," a movie preview channel featuring Sony Pictures content.

Another player in the mobile TV market is Sprint.  However, it relies mostly on video-on-demand clips and only offers limited live TV streaming.

AT&T previously had a similar, though less formalized mobile video service.  Its new and improved service will launch in 58 markets when it goes live Sunday, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The service's $15/month price tag is identical to what Verizon charges.  Verizon does still have a leg up on compatible handsets, though.  Initially, the only AT&T devices that will work with the mobile TV service are the touch-screen "Vu" phone from LG and Samsung's "Access" phone, both of which will also launch on Sunday.

Mobile TV is expected to get a boost when the digital TV switch happens in February of next year. Many handset manufacturers have revealed plans about using that big change-over in media airwaves to their advantage.

was this the 700 MHZ band?

May 02, 2008 09:52     

"The world is ours" (AT&T)
sorbitol report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Why not use internet

May 02, 2008 17:02     

It seems to me that using internet to project tv would make more sense, so the providers could extent tv access to the home and other mobile devices, thus competing with cable providers..
Advakit report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Mobile TV

May 03, 2008 15:20     

In Poland one of the biggest television news will start mobile broadcasting http://mtvn24.pl
Robert report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Will the iPhone be able to use this feature ?...

May 09, 2008 16:16     

Will the iPhone be able to use this feature ?
movieman1942 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0