Qatar rolls out DVB-H with OMA BCast

Telecommunications service provider Qatar Telecom (Qtel) and Nokia Siemens Networks have signed the world’s first commercial mobile TV deployment contract based on DVB-H and OMA BCast smart card profile technology, the companies have announced.

Nokia Siemens Networks will roll out a DVB-H solution with OMA BCast Smart Card Profile (SCP) for Qtel. With OMA BCast SCP, mobile operators are able to integrate the management rights for mobile TV broadcast content, provided via DVB-H, into their existing infrastructure. This comprehensive mobile TV solution includes software, hardware, consulting & integration, network design and implementation services.

For the authentication of mobile TV subscribers, Nokia Siemens Networks is providing its One-BSF solution, forming a key part of Qtel’s Unified Subscriber Database strategy for creating a common subscriber profile to be used for both mobile and DVB-H service. Nokia will provide N96 handsets to test the first SCP compliant software that enables subscribers to choose from among a host of payment models and interactivity options.

“This innovation introduces ‘world firsts’ to the global communications community: Qtel will be the first operator anywhere in the world to commercially deploy DVB-H SCP. We will also be the first company to integrate the new Nokia N96 model into our deployment strategy. Both these historic steps will support Qatar’s wider goal of using the most advanced technology to support the growth of the knowledge economy,” noted Al Mutawa, Executive Director of Group Communications, Qtel.