Broadcast trial points to increased coverage

Qualcomm and British Sky Broadcasting have announced the successful completion of a second joint technical trial of Qualcomm's MediaFLO system in the UK.

Qualcomm and British Sky Broadcasting have announced the successful completion of a second joint technical trial of Qualcomm's MediaFLO system in the UK.

This second technical trial, conducted in Manchester during winter 2006, featured BSkyB content delivered to noncommercial devices from Qualcomm.

The trial followed a similar test held in Cambridge, UK, in the summer of 2006 which corroborated performance results of the MediaFLO system, including channel switching time, the effectiveness of MediaFLO statistical multiplexing and carrier to noise performance.

BSkyB and Qualcomm conducted the trial to verify MediaFLO performance and compare it with competing technology.

This trial established several key results for the MediaFLO System, as compared with DVB-H.

MediaFLO physical layer field performance was measured to be around 4.5dB overall for nonlayered modes with comparable bit per second per hertz capacity.

The FLO physical layer performed better than previously published.

The measured lab performance was 0.5 to 1dB better than described in the San Diego Field Test Report Rev A.

Qualcomm proposes that a 4.5dB advantage would allow a MediaFLO network to either cover twice the geographical area per transmitter when applying modes of equal capacity - resulting in a substantial reduction in network expense - or provide double the service offering on a channel count basis for a constant cell size with the same spectrum and transmitter deployment The use of a layered mode and codec in a MediaFLO System can provide additional link margin of 2dB or increased channel capacity.

"This second technical trial of MediaFLO technology in the U.K.

has affirmed the results of our first trial held in Cambridge", said Robin Crossley, Strategy Adviser, Technology for BSkyB.

"The trial used lab and field test results to compare the performance of MediaFLO and DVB-H.

The trial showed that the MediaFLO system has considerable technical advantages over DVB-H and confirms the financial modelling undertaken to date".

"Completion of a second trial with BSkyB in Manchester underscores our technical claims for MediaFLO and clearly demonstrates the robust performance of the system", said Peggy Johnson, President of Qualcomm Internet Services and Qualcomm MediaFLO Technologies.

"MediaFLO is a global standard built specifically for mobility and this trial highlights that the superiority of the MediaFLO system will translate into real world benefits for organisations wishing to build a mobile TV business".

In addition to the technical trial with BSkyB, Qualcomm is working with service providers around the world to explore MediaFLO services.

In Japan, both KDDI and Softbank have announced their intent to explore the possibility for nationwide deployment of MediaFLO services.

The MediaFLO System is an end-to-end solution that enables broadcasting of high-quality video streams, audio-only streams, clipcasting media and IP datacasting to mobile handsets.

The MediaFLO System is designed to optimise coverage, capacity and user experience.

FLO technology, a key component of the MediaFLO System, is specified in TIA standards TIA-1099, TIA-1102, TIA-1103 and TIA-1104.

The MediaFLO System comprises a manageable, scalable, subscription-based distribution system and an efficient over-the-air network solution that provides wireless operators a way to cost effectively deliver the high-quality audio and video content their subscribers desire.

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