Top News
Centennial Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: CYCL) ("Centennial") will hold a special meeting of stockholders on February 24, 2009 at The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City at 10:00 a.m. ET for the purpose of considering and voting upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2008 (the "Merger Agreement"), providing for the acquisition of Centennial by AT&T Inc.
Only Centennial stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 13, 2009 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at ,the special meeting of stockholders and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. Additional information concerning the special meeting and the transaction will be included in Centennial's definitive proxy statement, which Centennial expects to mail to its stockholders promptly after it is finalized.
On November 7, 2008, Centennial entered into the Merger Agreement under which AT&T Inc. will acquire Centennial (the "Merger"). Under terms of the Merger Agreement, Centennial stockholders will receive $8.50 per share in cash for a total equity price of $944 million. Including net debt, the total enterprise value is approximately $2.8 billion. Completion of the Merger is not subject to a financing condition, but is subject to (i) approval of the Merger by the Company's stockholders, (ii) conditions relating to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, (iii) expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and (iv) other customary conditions to closing. Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, Centennial's largest stockholder, has agreed to vote in support of the Merger. The Company anticipates that the Merger will be completed by the end of the second quarter of calendar year 2009, assuming satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger.
Quattro Wireless now has a strategic relationship with Microsoft Advertising to help advertisers and agencies plan, buy and execute mobile advertising as part of their integrated marketing campaign.
Quattro's ad targeting platform and publisher inventory will have the ability to accept traffic from Microsoft Advertising's Atlas Media Console buy-side ad serving technology, which will offer advertisers and agencies an efficient option in setting up, tracking, billing and measuring an integrated mobile campaign. With this collaboration, mobile campaigns are set-up through the Microsoft Advertising's Atlas Media Console and, together with Quattro's ad-targeting platform, can be seamlessly served across any publisher within the Quattro Ad Network. The Quattro partner integration simplifies the complexity of mobile media planning and buying by refining the targeting method and dynamically serving ads based on the consumer's mobile device and relative screen size. Additionally, media planners and buyers will be able to work directly with Quattro's premier publisher network to extend their reach and placement options.
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Silicon Image(TM), Inc. has unveiled LiquidHD, a new personal entertainment technology designed to quickly and easily connect portable media devices (PMDs), TVs, consumer electronics (CE) devices, personal computers (PCs), and home theaters into a seamless network where consumers can enjoy digital content from any source device on any LiquidHD-enabled display in the home.
With LiquidHD technology, consumers can flexibly enjoy their content throughout their home by pausing a movie, television program, or video game on the TV in the living room and then resume it on a different TV or laptop with a single press of a button on the remote control. LiquidHD technology is a suite of protocols that runs over commodity IP networks such as Ethernet, Coax like MoCA, powerline like HomePlug and wireless like WiFi (802.11n).
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u-blox, developer of advanced GPS location and tracking technologies for commercial and consumer applications, has been selected to supply XACT Technology LLC with high-performance GPS receiver modules for its new line of portable personal tracking devices called XACT|TRAX.
The BBC World Service Trust has selected Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) as its strategic mobile partner to help develop its mobile learning strategy in Bangladesh.
The BBC World Service Trust, the BBC's international development organization, uses the creative power of media to reduce poverty and promote human rights. Ericsson will work on a project to develop English-language learning tools for mobile phones in Bangladesh. It is now filling a consultative role, creating the business plan, strategy and service specifications for mobile learning services in Bangladesh. Ericsson will also create the technical specifications and the RFP required for local suppliers to work in the project. The mobile strategy will complement an online learning site and potential television programs in Bangladesh. The BBC World Service Trust recognizes that the mobile channel can play a key role in supporting its learning objectives in Bangladesh, thanks to its ability to reach a wide audience. More than 50 million mobile subscriptions have been sold in Bangladesh. Ericsson has had a presence in Bangladesh for over 10 years and works closely with major mobile operators in the country.
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The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) has announced its Board of Directors has named mobile industry veteran Mike Wehrs as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association, effective immediately.
In his previous role as Vice President of Industry Affairs and Evangelism at Nuance Communications, Inc., Mr. Wehrs was responsible for the company's overall mobile business strategy, product strategy, industry and public policy and a key member of the mergers and acquisitions team. As President and CEO of the MMA, Mr. Wehrs will continue to promote its charter to build a sustainable ecosystem for the mobile marketing industry globally, focusing on delivering benefits to MMA members, establishing guidelines and best practices for future growth, and driving mobile adoption worldwide.
Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) has released their AirWave Wireless Management Suite 6.2.
The new management suite includes Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliance reporting. The PCI standard defines security guidelines for merchants and service providers that store, process and transmit cardholder data. The newly introduced in-depth compliance reporting feature evaluates individual managed devices against several PCI requirements to validate that safeguards are working as intended. The report also summarizes any intrusions detected by the wireless intrusion protection system, as well as any detected rogue wireless access points. In addition to PCI compliance reporting, the AirWave Suite 6.2 includes several additional new security and monitoring features including among others:
In addition to the AirWave management products, Aruba offers integrated security and wireless/wired access solutions that meet or exceed the wireless LAN-specific security requirements in the latest PCI DSS v1.2. Merchants using an Aruba networking solution can cost-effectively implement the security controls required for PCI compliance without compromising the performance of business applications or upgrading legacy networks.
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Nokia.mobi (NYSE: NOK) has extended its offering with the launch of Here and Now, a new section that provides the latest world news, music, celebrity buzz, as well as information on Nokia services and products.
Bookmarked in every new Nokia device, Nokia.mobi is accessed by millions of consumers across the globe. Nokia.mobi is already popular with brand advertisers including BMW, American Express, and Universal Pictures; Here and Now opens up new opportunities to advertise alongside valued news and entertainment content aimed at the 18-35 age segment. The different sections of the site allow consumers to listen to music, grab downloads, the latest celebrity news, and browse the mobile net. Here and Now is part of the Nokia Media Network, a premium mobile advertising network comprised of top-tier publishers such as Reuters and Hearst, operator partners such as Sprint and Airtel, and Nokia services.
According to a new report by The NPD Group, 45 percent of U.S. mobile phone users prefer to use their mobile phones to make calls and not for other available multimedia features. Only 20 percent of mobile phone users prefer to use their phones as an all-in-one multimedia device for music, videos, web surfing, and other activities beyond making phone calls.
NPD's "Mobile Phone Usage Report" also reveals that among top wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless customers are least likely to embrace their phone as an all-in-one multimedia device. While most U.S. consumers are aware of text messaging and the ability to change ringtones, the "Mobile Phone Usage Report" revealed that just 34 percent of mobile phone users know that their current phone's memory can be expanded, 28 percent know that they can watch videos, and 12 percent know they can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) were not sure if their phone included GPS, while a similar number (21 percent) were not sure if their handsets would play music.
According to NPD's monthly Mobile Phone Track service from January through November 2008, 71 percent of all handsets purchased by consumers in the U.S. were capable of playing video, 60 percent had expandable memory, and 55 percent had GPS technology. Methodology: Information in the "Mobile Phone Usage Report" is based on an NPD online survey of pre-identified U.S. mobile phone owners aged 13 and older, which was fielded in August 2008.
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m-Wise has launched its new web and mobile microsite development kit.
The new mobile content product consists of an easy to use software package that allows effortless configuration and setup of fully branded, ready to launch web and WAP microsites for promotion and selling of mobile digital content, such as ringtones, graphics, video clips, full-tracks and games. The web and WAP microsites support various channels, such as an on-deck mobile portal, via a mobile phone's web browser, a web portal, SMS communication, as well as MMS messaging, and it supports all major U.S. carriers such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Alltel, Boost & Suncom.
The automated microsite solution provides a rich end user experience via web and WAP (mobile browsing) including: fast content discovery, free text content search, content navigation, built-in audio and video players for playback of music and video clips, three-steps content purchase wizard, content gifting, flexible promotions, landing pages, integrated infotainment services and various business models such as pay-per content, subscription plans, bundled content, loyalty plans, etc. The microsite development kit further contains a designer's kit providing all the necessary instructions, templates and resources for graphic designers to simplify the generation of branded designs.
XipLink Optimization Software version 2.7 is a new, major release from XipLink and is available to customers under warranty or maintenance contracts immediately.
This new XipOS software release supports the Company's new stream based X2 data compression algorithm, IP Version 6 and enhancements to the graphical user interface that make it even easier to see the benefits of wireless optimization in action. The X2 data compression algorithm achieves substantial improvements:
Data compression of traffic in the upstream or forward channel, is one area of wireless optimization that receives a lot of focus. This is because the spectral efficiency is generally lower on the uplink. It is always more expensive to upload data than to download data — so this function in a wireless optimizer can pay big dividends. Like all aspects of the XipLink Optimization System, compression algorithms are carefully designed for maximum utilization of CPU and memory. XipOS Release 2.7 also delivers IPv6 as required by our U.S. DoD customers and increasingly by our large service provider customers. We also continue to improve our user interface, making it easy to understand the benefits to your network in near realtime. XipOS 2.7 also introduces the Active Resource Manager, a key software component that dynamically balances the optimal combinations of protocol acceleration; the selection of data compression algorithm and the use of Internet optimization functions, based on the immediate network load and the CPU & memory of the device where our software is installed.
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SPOT LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), has debuted SPOT Assist, a new roadside GPS safety service for its SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.
SPOT Assist offers the world's only roadside assistance that operates solely on satellite technology for virtually seamless coverage independent of cellular networks. SPOT Assist's roadside service will offer 24 hour assistance 7 days a week in the Continental United States and, later this spring, in Canada. By simply activating SPOT Assist with the "Help" button on the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, users can instantly alert a national roadside response center of their GPS location. Backed by a leading provider of national roadside assistance, SPOT Assist services include roadside towing, auto-accident assistance, fuel services, tire repair, battery service, lost key and lockout. SPOT Assist combines a GPS receiver with satellite communications technologies to deliver location-based messaging independent of cellular coverage. The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is a small, rugged and hand-held GPS unit that can access a world-wide satellite network system to keep you connected virtually anywhere you roam. The SPOT Assist roadside service is expected to be available in other countries later in 2009. Since its introduction in December 2007, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger has helped initiate close to 100 rescues, many of which resulted in lives saved, and has transmitted more than 5 million "peace-of-mind" and "track me" messages worldwide.
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The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), an alliance of U.S. broadcasters dedicated to accelerating the development of mobile digital television, has announced the first wave of broadcasters committed to launching mobile digital television (DTV) services in 2009.
Timed to an OMVC press conference held at 2009 International CES, broadcasters have declared their intention to launch mobile DTV across 63 stations in 22 markets, covering 35 percent of U.S. television households. The new technology will provide live, local and national over-the-air digital television to consumers via next-generation portable and mobile devices at pedestrian and vehicular speeds. Of the 63 stations, there will be 14 NBC affiliates, nine ABC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates, five FOX affiliates, nine ION Television affiliates, four CW affiliates and four MyNetworkTV affiliates, along with nine additional PBS stations that are in discussions with the OMVC to join the 2009 launch (see attached table).
To showcase the consumer experience of Mobile DTV and the technical feasibility of the ATSC Mobile DTV Candidate Standard, the OMVC conducted a live demonstration on the opening day of CES 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The demo involved multiple Las Vegas-based television stations broadcasting popular local and national TV programs, music video, along with local sports and public affairs programming, to ATSC compliant devices produced by LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, and using transmission equipment manufactured by Harris Corporation.
The ATSC Mobile DTV Candidate Standard supports over-the-air delivery of digital broadcast content to nexgen devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers, handheld PDAs, portable media players and gaming devices. The standard also extends a variety of automotive opportunities, ranging from factory-installed in-vehicle entertainment systems to dealer-installed and aftermarket entertainment systems, as well as GPS systems enriched with local broadcast receiver capabilities. In the months to come, the OMVC will conduct extensive interoperability testing and trials in various markets nationwide. The OMVC and ATSC recently announced acceptance of a Candidate Standard for mobile DTV that will be tested in multiple market trials during 2009, revised as needed and proposed as a final standard by mid-year. Working together on an exceptionally fast-track schedule, the groups have met every milestone and goal they established.
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| AT&T's Acquisition Of Centennial Up To Shareholders... | January 13, 2009 |
Only Centennial stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 13, 2009 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at ,the special meeting of stockholders and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. Additional information concerning the special meeting and the transaction will be included in Centennial's definitive proxy statement, which Centennial expects to mail to its stockholders promptly after it is finalized.
On November 7, 2008, Centennial entered into the Merger Agreement under which AT&T Inc. will acquire Centennial (the "Merger"). Under terms of the Merger Agreement, Centennial stockholders will receive $8.50 per share in cash for a total equity price of $944 million. Including net debt, the total enterprise value is approximately $2.8 billion. Completion of the Merger is not subject to a financing condition, but is subject to (i) approval of the Merger by the Company's stockholders, (ii) conditions relating to approval by the Federal Communications Commission, (iii) expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and (iv) other customary conditions to closing. Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, Centennial's largest stockholder, has agreed to vote in support of the Merger. The Company anticipates that the Merger will be completed by the end of the second quarter of calendar year 2009, assuming satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Merger.
| Ad Play For Mobile Brings Quattro + Microsoft Together... | January 13, 2009 |
Quattro's ad targeting platform and publisher inventory will have the ability to accept traffic from Microsoft Advertising's Atlas Media Console buy-side ad serving technology, which will offer advertisers and agencies an efficient option in setting up, tracking, billing and measuring an integrated mobile campaign. With this collaboration, mobile campaigns are set-up through the Microsoft Advertising's Atlas Media Console and, together with Quattro's ad-targeting platform, can be seamlessly served across any publisher within the Quattro Ad Network. The Quattro partner integration simplifies the complexity of mobile media planning and buying by refining the targeting method and dynamically serving ads based on the consumer's mobile device and relative screen size. Additionally, media planners and buyers will be able to work directly with Quattro's premier publisher network to extend their reach and placement options.
| The Pause That Refreshes For Media Enjoyment From Silicon Image... | January 13, 2009 |
With LiquidHD technology, consumers can flexibly enjoy their content throughout their home by pausing a movie, television program, or video game on the TV in the living room and then resume it on a different TV or laptop with a single press of a button on the remote control. LiquidHD technology is a suite of protocols that runs over commodity IP networks such as Ethernet, Coax like MoCA, powerline like HomePlug and wireless like WiFi (802.11n).
| SatSensing For u-blox XACT|TRAX Tracking | January 13, 2009 |
| Bangladesh Learning On BBC World Service Trust's Front Burner With Ericsson | January 13, 2009 |
The BBC World Service Trust, the BBC's international development organization, uses the creative power of media to reduce poverty and promote human rights. Ericsson will work on a project to develop English-language learning tools for mobile phones in Bangladesh. It is now filling a consultative role, creating the business plan, strategy and service specifications for mobile learning services in Bangladesh. Ericsson will also create the technical specifications and the RFP required for local suppliers to work in the project. The mobile strategy will complement an online learning site and potential television programs in Bangladesh. The BBC World Service Trust recognizes that the mobile channel can play a key role in supporting its learning objectives in Bangladesh, thanks to its ability to reach a wide audience. More than 50 million mobile subscriptions have been sold in Bangladesh. Ericsson has had a presence in Bangladesh for over 10 years and works closely with major mobile operators in the country.
| Moving On Up... @ Mobile Marketing Association... | January 13, 2009 |
In his previous role as Vice President of Industry Affairs and Evangelism at Nuance Communications, Inc., Mr. Wehrs was responsible for the company's overall mobile business strategy, product strategy, industry and public policy and a key member of the mergers and acquisitions team. As President and CEO of the MMA, Mr. Wehrs will continue to promote its charter to build a sustainable ecosystem for the mobile marketing industry globally, focusing on delivering benefits to MMA members, establishing guidelines and best practices for future growth, and driving mobile adoption worldwide.
| Wireless Management Leads Off New Aruba Networks Suite | January 13, 2009 |
The new management suite includes Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) compliance reporting. The PCI standard defines security guidelines for merchants and service providers that store, process and transmit cardholder data. The newly introduced in-depth compliance reporting feature evaluates individual managed devices against several PCI requirements to validate that safeguards are working as intended. The report also summarizes any intrusions detected by the wireless intrusion protection system, as well as any detected rogue wireless access points. In addition to PCI compliance reporting, the AirWave Suite 6.2 includes several additional new security and monitoring features including among others:
- Enhanced rogue access point detection and workflow, including additional levels of rogue classification
- RADIUS authentication for administrators to address the PCI requirement that all systems adhere to centralized AAA, use strong passwords, rotate passwords regularly, and maintain an external audit trail
- SSID-based statistics collection and report filtering for tracking the migration of devices away from WEP to PCI-compliant security methods
- Monitoring support for Cisco 871 Routers
In addition to the AirWave management products, Aruba offers integrated security and wireless/wired access solutions that meet or exceed the wireless LAN-specific security requirements in the latest PCI DSS v1.2. Merchants using an Aruba networking solution can cost-effectively implement the security controls required for PCI compliance without compromising the performance of business applications or upgrading legacy networks.
| The Here + Now Is Here And Now From Nokia | January 12, 2009 |
Bookmarked in every new Nokia device, Nokia.mobi is accessed by millions of consumers across the globe. Nokia.mobi is already popular with brand advertisers including BMW, American Express, and Universal Pictures; Here and Now opens up new opportunities to advertise alongside valued news and entertainment content aimed at the 18-35 age segment. The different sections of the site allow consumers to listen to music, grab downloads, the latest celebrity news, and browse the mobile net. Here and Now is part of the Nokia Media Network, a premium mobile advertising network comprised of top-tier publishers such as Reuters and Hearst, operator partners such as Sprint and Airtel, and Nokia services.
| Mobile Phone Usage Report By The NPD Group — Calls In, Not So Much Multimedia... | January 12, 2009 |
NPD's "Mobile Phone Usage Report" also reveals that among top wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless customers are least likely to embrace their phone as an all-in-one multimedia device. While most U.S. consumers are aware of text messaging and the ability to change ringtones, the "Mobile Phone Usage Report" revealed that just 34 percent of mobile phone users know that their current phone's memory can be expanded, 28 percent know that they can watch videos, and 12 percent know they can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) were not sure if their phone included GPS, while a similar number (21 percent) were not sure if their handsets would play music.
According to NPD's monthly Mobile Phone Track service from January through November 2008, 71 percent of all handsets purchased by consumers in the U.S. were capable of playing video, 60 percent had expandable memory, and 55 percent had GPS technology. Methodology: Information in the "Mobile Phone Usage Report" is based on an NPD online survey of pre-identified U.S. mobile phone owners aged 13 and older, which was fielded in August 2008.
| Make That Mobile Site... | January 12, 2009 |
The new mobile content product consists of an easy to use software package that allows effortless configuration and setup of fully branded, ready to launch web and WAP microsites for promotion and selling of mobile digital content, such as ringtones, graphics, video clips, full-tracks and games. The web and WAP microsites support various channels, such as an on-deck mobile portal, via a mobile phone's web browser, a web portal, SMS communication, as well as MMS messaging, and it supports all major U.S. carriers such as Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Alltel, Boost & Suncom.
The automated microsite solution provides a rich end user experience via web and WAP (mobile browsing) including: fast content discovery, free text content search, content navigation, built-in audio and video players for playback of music and video clips, three-steps content purchase wizard, content gifting, flexible promotions, landing pages, integrated infotainment services and various business models such as pay-per content, subscription plans, bundled content, loyalty plans, etc. The microsite development kit further contains a designer's kit providing all the necessary instructions, templates and resources for graphic designers to simplify the generation of branded designs.
| A Highly Compressionable Release From XipLink | January 12, 2009 |
This new XipOS software release supports the Company's new stream based X2 data compression algorithm, IP Version 6 and enhancements to the graphical user interface that make it even easier to see the benefits of wireless optimization in action. The X2 data compression algorithm achieves substantial improvements:
- Improved downloading of web traffic - 30 percent increase over X1 compression algorithms
- Improved email compression — 40 percent increase over X1, including large, random file attachments
- Improved response times for web traffic — often achieving a 1000 percent compression ratio in the upstream
Data compression of traffic in the upstream or forward channel, is one area of wireless optimization that receives a lot of focus. This is because the spectral efficiency is generally lower on the uplink. It is always more expensive to upload data than to download data — so this function in a wireless optimizer can pay big dividends. Like all aspects of the XipLink Optimization System, compression algorithms are carefully designed for maximum utilization of CPU and memory. XipOS Release 2.7 also delivers IPv6 as required by our U.S. DoD customers and increasingly by our large service provider customers. We also continue to improve our user interface, making it easy to understand the benefits to your network in near realtime. XipOS 2.7 also introduces the Active Resource Manager, a key software component that dynamically balances the optimal combinations of protocol acceleration; the selection of data compression algorithm and the use of Internet optimization functions, based on the immediate network load and the CPU & memory of the device where our software is installed.
| SPOT Me When I'm Lost... | January 12, 2009 |
SPOT Assist offers the world's only roadside assistance that operates solely on satellite technology for virtually seamless coverage independent of cellular networks. SPOT Assist's roadside service will offer 24 hour assistance 7 days a week in the Continental United States and, later this spring, in Canada. By simply activating SPOT Assist with the "Help" button on the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger, users can instantly alert a national roadside response center of their GPS location. Backed by a leading provider of national roadside assistance, SPOT Assist services include roadside towing, auto-accident assistance, fuel services, tire repair, battery service, lost key and lockout. SPOT Assist combines a GPS receiver with satellite communications technologies to deliver location-based messaging independent of cellular coverage. The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger is a small, rugged and hand-held GPS unit that can access a world-wide satellite network system to keep you connected virtually anywhere you roam. The SPOT Assist roadside service is expected to be available in other countries later in 2009. Since its introduction in December 2007, the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger has helped initiate close to 100 rescues, many of which resulted in lives saved, and has transmitted more than 5 million "peace-of-mind" and "track me" messages worldwide.
| Mobile DTV Is Main Aim... | January 11, 2009 |
Timed to an OMVC press conference held at 2009 International CES, broadcasters have declared their intention to launch mobile DTV across 63 stations in 22 markets, covering 35 percent of U.S. television households. The new technology will provide live, local and national over-the-air digital television to consumers via next-generation portable and mobile devices at pedestrian and vehicular speeds. Of the 63 stations, there will be 14 NBC affiliates, nine ABC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates, five FOX affiliates, nine ION Television affiliates, four CW affiliates and four MyNetworkTV affiliates, along with nine additional PBS stations that are in discussions with the OMVC to join the 2009 launch (see attached table).
To showcase the consumer experience of Mobile DTV and the technical feasibility of the ATSC Mobile DTV Candidate Standard, the OMVC conducted a live demonstration on the opening day of CES 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The demo involved multiple Las Vegas-based television stations broadcasting popular local and national TV programs, music video, along with local sports and public affairs programming, to ATSC compliant devices produced by LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, and using transmission equipment manufactured by Harris Corporation.
The ATSC Mobile DTV Candidate Standard supports over-the-air delivery of digital broadcast content to nexgen devices, such as cell phones, laptop computers, handheld PDAs, portable media players and gaming devices. The standard also extends a variety of automotive opportunities, ranging from factory-installed in-vehicle entertainment systems to dealer-installed and aftermarket entertainment systems, as well as GPS systems enriched with local broadcast receiver capabilities. In the months to come, the OMVC will conduct extensive interoperability testing and trials in various markets nationwide. The OMVC and ATSC recently announced acceptance of a Candidate Standard for mobile DTV that will be tested in multiple market trials during 2009, revised as needed and proposed as a final standard by mid-year. Working together on an exceptionally fast-track schedule, the groups have met every milestone and goal they established.
