Mobile TV will produce a variety of satellite opportunities for S-band direct access and Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) channel distribution/backhauling in many markets, a study from NSR found.
S-band services are generating positive results in Asia via TU Media in Korea with more than 1.1 million subscribers. Additional S-band plans in Asia, Europe and potentially North America all point to positive momentum for mobile TV service delivered via S-band capacity, according to “Mobile TV via Satellite: Assessing S-band and Channel Distribution/Backhaul Opportunities,” which was released April 10. The deployment of S-DMB services and the recently approved DVB-SH standard point to positive standards-based momentum for this market segment, the analyst said.
There also is an emerging market for mobile TV channel distribution and backhaul via FSS satellite capacity, especially as mobile carriers scale their networks and consider the cost of terrestrial distribution alternatives, in addition to terrestrial spectrum scarcity.
“NSR remains optimistic about the potential for using satellites to distribute and deliver mobile TV services; however, we have great concern about a few key hurdles,” Christopher Baugh, president of NSR, said in a statement. “The cost of building out S-band networks, including satellite capacity and terrestrial repeaters, is a significant barrier to growth. Very little S-band capacity is available or planned worldwide, and the cost to implement S-band mobile TV may limit the opportunity outside of Asia in the next several years. Additionally, terrestrial broadcast spectrum scarcity may actually negatively affect satellite-based channel distribution and backhaul growth over the next several years.”