Qualcomm 'to beat' DVB-H in MENA mobile TV war

Qualcomm is looking to challenge DVB-H's position as the Middle East mobile TV standard.

Qualcomm’s FloTV will compete with DVB-H as the region’s default mobile broadcasting standard in the Middle East and win, according to Jay Srage, VP Qualcomm MENA.

Qualcomm is looking to facilitate FloTV (formerly known as MediaFLO) deployments by operators in multiple regions with the Middle East cited as being of particular importance.

“If we have a better technology platform and a better service for consumers as we have proved in the US and Japan, then we will win,” said Srage. “This is an important region for Qualcomm and we have the means to continue expanding to meet the needs of this market.”

“We are in negotiations with regulators in the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in order to ensure that the spectrum is kept open,” added Srage.

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“Flo is a global open standard. We want to make sure that any spectrum that DVB-H is operating in is available to Flo – and any other mobile technology – so that we can compete.” 

FloTV is currently operating in Japan and the US and is beginning to gain traction in other regions.

While Srage confirmed Flo will be available in the Middle East in the future, he was reluctant to put a timeframe on its introduction.

Read on for DPme.com's mobile TV technology briefing...