TOKYO -- Pocket-size devices such as cellular telephones capable of receiving digital terrestrial and satellite broadcasts may soon be a reality, judging from a number of prototypes unveiled here at the Wireless Japan 2004 Expo this week.
Satellite Services
The first that is likely to come to market is a prototype receiver being shown by Mobile Broadcasting (MBCO). The company launched a co-owned satellite with South Korea's TU Media earlier this year, and plans to begin beaming a seven-channel video and 30-channel audio service to subscribers in mid-October.
Unlike existing satellite systems that require large dish antennas, the MBCO service uses lower-frequency signals around 2.6 GHz, close to those used by third-generation (3G) cellular services, so it can be received by an antenna built into a portable receiver. The prototype unit on display was developed by Toshiba, which is expected to be one of several vendors producing receivers for the commercial service, says Keiko Ando, a MBCO spokesperson.
The receivers will cost around $454, plus a monthly subscription charge of about $15 for audio channels and $23 for audio and video channels. The channel lineup includes a number of nonstop music channels covering several genres, as well as radio stations from around the world. Video channels include MTV Japan, financial-news service Nikkei CNBC, and a nonstop news service, Ando says.
A similar service is expected to be launched in South Korea by TU Media. Samsung Electronics has previously shown prototype cellular telephones with embedded satellite receivers that will support that service. MBCO's Ando says the company doesn't expect its initial lineup to include such telephones.
Capable Handsets
That doesn't mean that Japanese cellular handset makers and carriers are ignoring digital broadcasting, as a walk around the show floor proved.
Carrier KDDI, which operates Japan's number two cellular network, is showing a prototype reception system for terrestrial digital radio.
The receiver is based on a personal digital assistant. It can take full advantage of Japan's service, still in the trial phase, which transmits data and some video alongside radio channels. The top half of the PDA screen displays the video, while the bottom half shows information related to the program. The PDA can also connect to the cellular network to return data back to the broadcaster.
Sanyo Electric showed two prototype cellular telephones with digital terrestrial TV reception built in. The phones can display the image sideways to make better use of the screen real estate. They will ship in Japan, but not for at least a year, Sanyo representatives say. NEC is also displaying a prototype handset that can receive digital TV broadcasts, but is not disclosing any further information regarding its plans.
Japanese cellular telephone users are only just getting their hands on models that receive basic analog TV and radio. Vodafone's Japanese unit has released a handset that can receive TV broadcasts, and a new handset from Sanyo includes an FM radio. It's too early to tell whether such multimedia functions will prove appealing to users; but based on the work on show at Wireless Japan 2004, it appears the companies are convinced the features will be a hit.
