Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), the multicast cell phone TV system pioneered by Qualcomm, is to feature in a technical trial later this month in Taiwan. Jointly run with China Network Systems (CNS) and Taiwan Television Enterprise Ltd (TTV), the Taipei trial is intended to allow the Taiwanese partners evaluate the performance capabilities of MediaFLO technology. It will feature four live channels of CNS content and up to three live channels of TTV content.

“Taiwan is at the forefront of new technology deployments, and mobile TV is no exception,” comments CNS ceo Daniel Cheung.

“We see the trial as an excellent opportunity to expand our MediaFLO business development efforts in Asia,” adds Peggy Johnson, president, Qualcomm Internet Services and MediaFLO Technologies. “Taiwan is one of the key markets in the region with 84% pay TV penetration. We expect this trial to provide a strong validation of the value that Qualcomm believes MediaFLO technology offers both in Asia and in other markets around the world.”

And in other recent MediaFLO news, AT&T/Cingular has announced it will follow competitor Verizon Wireless in using the MediaFLO platform to offer mobile TV services in the USA. The AT&T/Cingular offering should be available to customers in late 2007. A statement said that AT&T would have also access to advanced features MediaFLO USA expects to launch in the second half of 2007.

Verizon’s own MediaFLO-based VCAST service is understood to have launched in 20 states last Thursday. VCAST comprises eight channels and is being sold for between US$15.00 and US$25.00 per month. The launch terminal, as had been widely trailed, was Samsung’s U620, and an additional VCAST LG terminal is reported to be in the pipeline.
John Williamson