Verizon Turns Mobile Telephones into Television Sets

Posted 08 January 2007 @ 10:59 am EET     Print     Reprint     E-Mail     Comments

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Verizon Wireless revealed plans for the US launch of a service that essentially turns mobile telephones into television sets. VCAST TV would be available in major US markets in the first half of the year in an alliance with Qualcomm-owned MediaFlo, Verizon vice president John Stratton announced on the eve of the world's largest consumer electronics show, opening Monday in Las Vegas.

The subscription service would provide "true broadcast-quality" television pacrogramming all day, every day, Stratton said. Television channels could be flicked through quickly and easily by using the arrow keys on mobile phones, a demonstration revealed.

MediaFlo has tested the service in Britain and Japan but the US roll-out will be its first commercial offering, Julie Reynolds of MediaFlo told AFP while providing a preview of the service.

Deals had been struck with MTV Networks and NBC, CBS, and FOX television studios for content, according to Stratton. The service would be launched on Samsung Mobi and LG 9400 mobile telephones, Verizon said. Pricing and specific launch markets were not disclosed.