mobilkom austria, Telekom Austria’s mobile subsidiary, today announced that it is the first mobile network operator worldwide to bring CNN live television broadcasts (24×7) to its mobile phone customers. Services from CNN, the word’s best known news broadcaster, will be free to mobilkom austria’s A1 subscribers for a trial period. mobilkom austria delivers a wide selection of programs to its customers through A1 TV, its mobile TV service, and the YBN (Yard Broadcast Network) content network.
Beginning in March, all owners of the new Nokia 7600 will be able to receive live television on their mobile phones for the first time. The high transmission rate of this UMTS mobile phone enables superior quality audio and visual reception. Further stations will be added to the CNN service through the YBN content network.
“When it comes to UMTS, mobilkom austria is taking a leading role in Austria and Europe,” said Boris Nemsic, COO Wireless of Telekom Austria and CEO of mobilkom austria. “We see it as our responsibility not just to launch technologies first, but to also develop mobile services and products that offer customers real added value.”
“CNN is delighted to be able to share this world first with mobilkom austria: debuting a 24 hour live television streaming service to mobile users in Austria,” says Mitch Lazar, vice president wireless & emerging technology for Turner Broadcasting Systems International.
“CNN have been the pioneers in delivering news and information services to mobile networks and as wireless technologies evolve, it is the next logical step to provide a CNN video service directly to mobile devices. This is an important development as it enhances the user experience and increases the potential for generating new revenue for CNN and for mobile operators.”
A1 TV also offers “Video on Demand” (VOD) streams directly on mobile phones through the mobile A1 portal. Users simply select the option “A1 TV” from the portal, then chose subject areas. The selection ranges from news, sports and weather to entertainment programs.
Although the high bandwidth of UMTS makes it the ideal carrier technology for A1 TV, several GPRS mobiles are also capable of using the new service. In this case it is only necessary to download the free “Real Player”.