3GSM 2006: Virgin to launch live TV on your mobile

BT has announced that Virgin Mobile is the first mobile operator to sign up for its Movio digital TV and radio service for mobiles. The announcement coincided with the 3GSM unveiling of The Trilogy (pictured) – the first DAB-IP enabled Smartphone, which will host the service.

Unlike TV mobile services from Vodafone and Orange, which use 3G, the Movio service uses a special DAB radio and the existing DAB network, which is capable of transmitting high-quality TV images and DAB radio coverage. The handset itself has been developed jointly by BT, TTP, and HTC. It has a 2.2 inch screen, a 1.3MP camera and a micro SD slot for extra storage. It also features Windows Mobile, 5.0 – so expect push email, along with all the usual Microsoft functionality.

No start date has been announced and channel details are not yet available, but expect the service on a limited exclusive basis on the Virgin network around late summer.

More mobile TV:
3GSM 2006: hands on with LG’s DVB-H TV phone
ROK brings TV to Sony phones