GoMedia to launch live TV on mobile devices
A new Bermuda-based company claims to be the first to introduce live television on mobile devices without the use of the Internet.
Digital Mobile Television Ltd. (DMTV), which is trading as GoMedia, is set to revolutionise the way television is viewed outside of the traditional setting on the Island, said DMTV bosses CEO Glenn Doers and chief technical officer/chief operating officer Mike Swan.
After more than a year of research and development, and the securing of exclusive product, DMTV Bermuda has successfully tested and secured devices that will transmit live television directly to a number of devices, including laptop computers, and cell phones, without an Internet connection.
The company uses the traditional analogue broadcast signal and avoids all of the complications of the Internet, which is still fraught with problems due to bandwidth and various capacity issues, said Mr. Swan.
"In the next month consumers will get their popular local news, their favourite soap operas and programmes through a product to be marketed by us," said Mr. Swan.
Proponents of the new company have also laid plans to carry their product a step further and state that by May 2010, prior to the FIFA World Cup, consumers will be able to receive a digital signal that will withstand the movement of cars and other mobile units.
The digital feed will carry the two local channels through a retransmission consent agreement, and at least four other channels through subscription.
Mr. Doers said the service would be available as a pure subscription broadcast through its broadcasting partners and other international content partners.
The pair anticipated the inclusion of the popular Fox Soccer channel and international news channels.
Mr. Swan, who has a MA in technology, said: "This is a generation above the Internet which is dependent on capacity.
"The digital broadcast format, is cutting-edge technology supported by the world-renowned Harris Corporation and used by the American television networks, which are taking advantage of the latest mobile technology," said Mr. Swan.
Mr. Swan, who recently returned from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, said that the broadcast industry has backed the Open Mobile Video Coalition format now employed in the US and soon to be rolled out here in Bermuda.
The new service, which is set to be rolled out soon by DMTV and received on laptops, netbooks, smart phones, in-car screens and dongles that fit USB ports.
DMTV is located at 4 Fort Hill, Devonshire; in the Bermuda Broadcasting building.
For more information, email gomedia@dmtv.bm, contact 293-3688 or visit the website at www.dmtv.bm