The Austrian mobile operator A1 has started to offer customers a choice of mobile TV services including one with a free-to-air DVB-T offer. The company is also providing a ‘total package’ of 22 channels incorporating both DVB-H and UMTS technologies.
A1 is now selling the LG HB620 handset with built-in DVB-T receiver, capable of receiving the six free-to-air broadcasters in the country, namely ORF1, ORF2, ORF Sport +, ATV, Puls4 and 3Sat. When traveling abroad, users will also be able to watch the local DTT broadcasts in other countries on their handset.
After Germany, Austria is the second country in Europe where mobile DVB-T handsets are available. The technology offers operators the opportunity to let their customers watch mobile TV without paying a monthly subscription fee.
The operator has in addition launched a 22-channel “TV PLus” package that offers all 15 channels available on DVB-H as well as an additional 7 channels on the UMTS network. These extra channels are MTV Music, Nick, geekTV, LOKO, Crime Scene TV and Rocket TV. A1 uses the Nokia N77 handset, and a monthly subscription for the package costs €9.00.
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