Mobile device users could soon be able to watch television on the go if a cable television service licence is given the go ahead for activation.

The Bermuda Broadcasting Company Ltd. (BBC) has applied to Government to have Digital Mobile Television Ltd.'s (DMTV) licence amended in order to activate a dormant entity to deliver content to in-car entertainment systems, portable DVD players, computers and various handheld gadgets, according to a letter submitted by Rick Richardson, CEO of the BBC to the Department of Telecommunications.

The technology will provide a new and separate application for the DMTV licence and use the redundant UHF spectrum, while offering a solution for people on the go who require up-to-date news and information. If launched, the Island's first mobile television system would be under the brand name GoMedia.

DMTV, formerly Antilles Cable TV, which is owned by the BBC, secured a cable licence in 1995 following a public hearing conducted by the Telecommunications Commission.

The physical plant was located at the former Naval Base at Southside, St. David's, and the principals were able to demonstrate operation of the cable system at the time of the licence being granted, with the company also seeking methods of Island-wide delivery, but the Commission did not stipulate how or when this would happen.

Despite holding a number of discussions with several potential partners including the Bermuda Telephone Company, two Internet Service Providers and Quantum, which came to little, DMTV through partnerships with the BBC and co-operation from World on Wireless (WOW) secured a new and improved mobile transmission technology to distribute television programming via the unused UHF digital broadcast spectrum.

"Our plan is to use the licence and new technology to fill a void in the Bermuda marketplace by delivering television content to mobile devices," Mr. Richardson wrote in his submission.

The BBC and DMTV will seek to operate channels 65 and 66, and 67 and 68 respectively, with Mr. Richardson adding that DMTV's proposed applications for mobiles could be implemented immediately and moved forward to the subscription stage.

The letter revealed that the BBC had agreed to mount DMTV mobile distribution antennae at the top of its tower and WOW had agreed to provide already digitised signals for retransmission, while DMTV would allow the BBC to deliver their channels in digital.

It added that DMTV would secure additional programming copyright clearance through the Caribbean Cable Co-operative as a member and shareholder and already has a number of projects lined up including Cup Match coverage.

In its business plan, DMTV projects a subscriber revenue based on 9,100 subscriptions at a rate of $22.50, equalling a monthly revenue of $204,750, with a total annual subscription revenue of $2.5 million.

The company is currently seeking $2.5 million in financing with the funds used for the expansion of the capital expenditures/conditional access system, ongoing expenses, including payroll, administrative and operating costs and marketing.

Mr. Richardson said he could not comment on the licence.