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AT&T to launch Mobile TV May 4th

by on02 May 2008

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Behind schedule

AT&T Inc. plans to launch its Mobile TV service on two high-end models of its mobile phones on Sunday, May 4th.  Mobile TV from AT&T will be available on the LG touch-screen Vu and on Samsung’s Access.

Retail pricing of the Vu is $399.99 and the Access is $299.99, with a $100 mail-in rebate available; a two-year service plan is required with purchase for both phones. The LG Vu comes with a music player, a 2-megapixel camera and Bluetooth; while Samsung's Access includes an internal antenna for TV reception, a camera, external stereo speakers and stereo Bluetooth.

AT&T indicated that it will make the Mobile TV service available in 58 of its markets. The Mobile TV service is launching behind schedule, as it was originally planned for launch in December 2007. Competitor Verizon Wireless has already launched its V Cast Mobile TV service in March 2007, and it is available on four mobile handsets:  Samsung's SCH-U620, LG's VX9400 and Voyager, and Motorola’s z6tv.

Simliar to Verizon’s offering, AT&T is using technology from MediaFLO USA Inc., which is part of Qualcomm Inc., to deliver the service. The programming is broadcast by MediaFLO on part of an unused television broadcast spectrum, which keeps the television broadcast on a different network from the cellular network.

AT&T has released pricing for its Mobile TV packages, which is very similar to Verizon’s pricing.  A limited subscription package is available at $13 per month for four channels, which includes CBS Mobile, Fox Mobile, NBC 2Go and NBC News 2Go. The next level is $15 per month for a package that includes eight channels; and the top level is $30 per month for its “Plus” service that includes unlimited TV air time, e-mail and mobile Web browsing.

AT&T's Mobile TV will include 150 simulcast or time-shifted programs from CNN, ESPN, Comedy Central, CBS, NBC, Nickelodeon and PIX, part of Sony Pictures Television, and others.

Last modified on 02 May 2008
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