The European Commission is preparing to make spectrum available for such services, delivered by satellite or a combination of satellite and terrestrial broadcasts.
The aim is to enable a single European market for mobile satellite services across national borders by creating a co-ordinated selection and authorisation process for prospective operators.
“Broadcast services will transform the mobile television market, led by free-to-air channels, with satellite playing a key role,” suggests Dr William Cooper, co author of the report and founder of the informitv consultancy which specialises in the convergence of communications services.
“This will happen sooner than many people have previously assumed. By the time of the London Olympics in 2012, mobile satellite services will be in operation across most of Europe.”
The technology has already been proven in Asia and plans for new satellite services are well underway in the United States. The first European satellite is expected to launch next year.
Satellites will enable relatively rapid roll-outs across major regions of the world and spectrum assigned to mobile satellite services holds the key to unlocking this potentially massive market.
A combination of satellite and terrestrial transmission will deliver the next generation of television, radio and associated multimedia services to mobile and in-vehicle receivers.
Mobile television will initially be dominated by free to air channels, while subscription radio services are more likely to be adopted for use in vehicles.
The findings form part of the report Satellite to Mobile: Television and radio broadcasting - Global markets and opportunities, published by digital media consultancy informitv.
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