TDF offers to pay for mobile TV network

In an effort to break the deadlock situation concerning the introduction of Mobile TV, the French transmitter company TDF has proposed that it would finance the roll-out of the network and bear the costs of broadcasting during the start-up phase to reach 17% of the population, according to Les Echos.

Under the plan, TDF will set up a separate company with the aim to roll out DVB-H services in the country, with each operator being able to sell subscriptions.

The introduction of mobile television services has stalled, when the 13 channels that were awarded a licence by the media authority CSA said they were not willing to foot (parts of) the bill of the built-up of the DVB-H transmitter network.

Also, the mobile operators are not willing to pay for a new transmitter network, as they rather concentrate on using their own GSM, EDGE and UMTS networks for television services. Orange, SFR and Bouygues Telecom already have their own mobile TV services.

Until now, TDF had proposed to pay for the roll-out but only for a quarter of operating costs. Under TDF’s revised plan, if mobile TV services attract enough viewers when the 17% coverage target is reached, the network would then be extended but channels have to pay part of the broadcasting costs.