Mobile TV could hamstring 3G

With O2's mobile TV trial launched a matter of days ago, analysts are predicting that such TV and video services could well cripple 3G networks as soon as 2007.

According to a new report from research firm Analysys, the bandwidth necessary to support services such as streaming could fill up 3G networks within the next couple of years if just 40 per cent of mobile users take up mobile video or TV for just eight minutes per day.

This means, Analysys says, that mobile operators will need to turn to broadcasting technology to cope with spikes in TV viewing. The analyst house is tipping MBMS (multimedia broadcast and multicast service) as the most likely contender to be chosen by the mobile industry.

MBMS, which will require minor rewriting of the current 3G standard, is thought most likely to win out against other broadcasting technology - such as Nokia-favoured DVB-H and Qualcomm's MediaFLO - because it will enable operators to keep hold of the reins in mobile TV and video.

Also in its favour is the fact that it will mean no changes to existing spectrum or licensing arrangements. However, operators will need to set aside some of the network bandwidth used for essential mobile services such as voice calls and text messaging - a trade-off the analysts are unlikely to make unless mobile users embrace TV services wholeheartedly.