3 to trial live broadcast TV over mobile

3, Ireland’s mobile media network, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a licence by ComReg to trial broadcast TV services over mobile handsets. The licence takes effect immediately and runs for one year.

DVB-H is a technology specifically developed for broadcasting live television channels via mobile handsets. Broadcast mobile TV transmitted via DVB-H has the potential to bring a number of consumer benefits including:

* Access to many live TV channels.
* An enhanced customer experience through new functionality such as interactive TV.
* High-quality pictures and sound without delays, freezing or buffering.
* An efficient delivery system which reduces battery consumption.

Robert Finnegan, 3′s Managing Director commented: “3 Italy was first in Europe to launch broadcast TV over mobile, so as a Group we are already leading the development of this new technology. Ireland has a high take-up of digital TV services compared to many EU countries with 42% of all households using digital TV services. DVB-H brings the benefits of Digital TV to mobile. Mobile TV is important to 3 and to the Irish market, as consumers demand more sophisticated mobile services.”

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Noel Dempsey, TD, said: “I welcome all developments in the digital television area. It is particularly important that Ireland rolls out a digital terrestrial television network in the coming years and that the full range of digital services become available to the Irish citizen.”

3′s sister company in Italy launched its DVB-H service called WalkTV earlier this year and is already broadcasting mobile TV to a large audience, with 140,000 customers signing up in just six weeks.

3′s DVB-H tests in Ireland follow the success of a range of TV content available on 3 from Barclays Premiership highlights and the best of Father Ted, to 3′s own music channel hosted by Tom Dunne.

3, Ireland’s mobile media network, today announced its customers will be able to enjoy free Ryder Cup action from the K Club.

From tomorrow, 3 will be offering a dedicated Ryder Cup service with free action from the golfing championship of the year:

* Video news highlights from BSkyB.
* Alerts and latest news from TEAMtalk.
* 3′s customer can also access golfing websites – PGA Golf, Sky Sports etc.

David Riley, Head of Entertainment at 3 commented: “With a high percentage of our customers tuning in to watch sports content like the Barclays Premiership and the World Cup on 3, 3′s customers are sure to enjoy free news and highlights from the world’s biggest golfing championship. The Ryder Cup is a first for Ireland and we’re delighted to bring our customers free video highlights so they can catch-up on the action, wherever they are.”

Football fans can access FREE Barclays premiership highlights on 3, five minutes after the whistle blows. This week 3 announced 80% population coverage for mobile media services, in addition to nationwide coverage for voice and text.

3UK beats off other network providers to take Best Operator and Best Content Service awards

3UK has been awarded two top honours at the prestigious Mobile Entertainment Awards 2006. The mobile media company beat off competition from other network providers including Vodafone, O2 and Orange, to claim the Best Operator award and Best Content Service for the highly acclaimed SeeMe TV service.

The globally recognised awards are one of the most prestigious sources of independent verification for the entire mobile content industry and are voted for by a panel of 300 industry peers. This panel is drawn from thought leaders, industry-heads and independent experts across US, Europe and Asia.

With over 3.75 million subscribers on its network, and some of the most innovative initiatives in the UK, 3 can justly claim to be the leading operator for mobile content and services. 3 prides itself on constantly responding to the demands of its customers so that it is always offering ground-breaking mobile entertainment.

In addition, the company was also recognised for its innovative SeeMe TV service, the ultimate user-generated content mobile channel, as well as enabling 3 customers to earn cash for clips. SeeMe TV is one of the most heavily used user-generated content sites on mobile and is breaking new ground.

Graeme Oxby, Marketing Director, 3UK, said: “The Mobile Entertainment Awards are designed to recognise excellence, so to be the only operator singled out amongst our competitors is a great achievement as well as a huge validation of 3UK’s service.”

“The Best Content Service Award is a great statement of the impact that SeeMe TV has had on the market. By widening the audience for customer content and rewarding creativity, the SeeMe TV service brings life to the possibilities offered by our network.”