EU Context

So far, the growth of mobile broadcast television and mobile services in Europe has been tepid and its real potential is still unknown. Slow development is the result of a shortage of spectrum in many key markets (e.g. UK); a lack of consensus on business models (e.g. Finland); and difficulties in many countries in establishing the regulatory framework needed to launch (e.g. Spain).

The most advanced market in Europe is Italy which launched full commercial services in 2006 and now has approximately 800,000 DVB-H subscribers, although its success may be questioned.

The UK and Germany have additionally launched services with very little success, together accounting for several tens of thousands of mobile viewers. This may be due to the limited service provided to viewers.

Interestingly several key markets are expected to launch services in 2008, including Austria, Finland, France, Germany DVB-H), the Netherlands and Switzerland. Spain will wait until 2009 to launch its mobile TV services given the delays to the regulatory regime caused by the upcoming Government elections.

European Standards
DAB and DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcasting)	Click here  .pdf (1465 KB)  .pdf (572 KB)  .pdf (102 KB)
DVB	Click here  .pdf (118 KB)  .pdf (1241 KB)
DRM	Click here  .pdf (4650 KB)  .pdf (43 KB)  .pdf (1696 KB)

Sources: WorldDMB, Hewlett-Packard, Thomson, IEEE, Bmco Forum Newsletter. 20 March 2008 Release, DigiTAG