NextWave promises mobile TV via WiMAX

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 11 March 2008 06:17

Business IT - Technology

NextWave says that MXtv technology supports up to 45 high-quality mobile TV channels in 10MHz with rapid channel switching times of under two seconds, and offers network operators the ability to dynamically allocate spectrum based on content availability, time-of-day requirements, user demand, and the availability of 'must see' live events such as sports, concerts, interactive reality shows or emergency broadcasts.

For operators wanting to deliver a mix of services, including the standard offering of broadband Internet access, MXtv supports any combination of mobile TV, personalised radio, voice and data services up to the maximum capacity of the 10MHz channel. Video can be either broadcast and unicast or  non-real time delivery which can be pre-ordered, downloaded and stored on a PVR type device. According to NextWave MXtv "allows operators to dynamically optimise the mix of voice, data, and broadcast services on each RF carrier based on user demand, service pricing and advertising revenue."

The system is based on the Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) standard - designed to enable cellular network operators to deliver video services using their existing networks and spectrum. This technology is incorporated in NextWave TDtv technology which is been used in a commercial pilot with a major UK cellular operator.  NextWave acquired TDtv when it bought IPWireless, which had launched the technology in January 2006.

However there is no WiMAX CPE that presently supports MXtv but NextWave has produced a range of new WiMAX chips for end user devices that include MXtv support. It expects these to become commercially available later in 2008, NextWave's next-generation RF chip, also planned for 2008, is designed to support seamless operation and roaming across WiMAX networks worldwide, regardless of operating frequency and transmission mode (TDD or FDD).

NextWave will demonstrate its mobile WiMAX semiconductor and MXtv technology and Huawei will showcase its WiMAX portfolio at the upcoming CTIA Wireless 2008 conference on April 1-3 in Las Vegas.