12 companies will jointly test mobile TV in Poland. There are four mobile operators, including Polkomtel, Centertel, PTC and P4 and Cyfrowy Polsat TV broadcaster. Two out of three biggest broadcasters, i.e. Telewizja Polska and TVN, are missing in the project. They believe planned tests have no sense. In November, during the meeting at the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) as many as 50 companies said they would join the project. Now, their number shrank to 12 firms. They have signed a letter of intent so far. The Polish Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunications (PIIT) coordinates the project.
“Tests in DVB-H technology could be started early next year”, Aleksander Frydrych from PIIT said.
In his opinion, mobile TV services could be launched in 2009.
The reason why TVP and TVN refuse to join the project is that they would have to become PIIT members.
“This is required by the law. We may represent our
members only”, Aleksander Frydrych believed. Besides, TVP and TVN doubt that
expensive tests estimated at EUR 5m will be conducted without a guarantee that
TV broadcasters will get frequencies in the future. They say there is nothing to
be tested because everyone knows that the technology is working.