Verizon Wirelesstoday said it is working with Qualcommto broadcast live television to subscribers using a
network being built under the direction of Qualcomm’s MediaFlo.
Verizon Wireless, the second-leading wireless provider in the United States,
said it will introduce the TV service in 2006 to subscribers in more than half
its high-speed markets.
The New York-based company already serves
subscribers short clips of on-demand video; however, this is its first
attempt at brining TV to the little screen.
John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon
Wireless, said the deal will allow MediaFlo USA’s network to provide
real-time multimedia services to wireless customers, including its
V Cast broadband multimedia service.
Verizon said it plans to offer the TV service to subscribers through
MediaFlo-enabled EV-DO handsets.
As the price of voice phone calls continues to drop amid increased competition
and alternate technologies such as VoIP, wireless providers are looking
toward video and music to grow revenue.
Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless and Warner Music Group announced an agreement to offer music-video downloads through the wireless carrier’s network.
Now, Verizon Wireless is expected to be the first U.S. provider to offer the
MediaFlo service when it is commercially available.
“Using the MediaFLO technology and network, Verizon Wireless will be able to
offer its customers a real-time TV-like experience on their wireless phones
unlike anything available on the market today,” Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm
CEO, said in a statement.
Following the initial launch, Qualcomm and MediaFlo will continue to expand
the MediaFlo network throughout other markets that cover Verizon
Wireless’s V Cast and Broadband Access service areas, according to Jacobs.