AT&T's Mobile TV Debuts. How Does It Really Work?
AT&T Mobile TV is launching today in San Antonio, where I live.
Think traditional multi-media cell phone meets TV programming. Currently, AT&T is offering continuous streaming, full-length live TV programming and sporting events to mobile phones from leading sources: CBS Mobile, CNBC, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX News, FOX Mobile, NBC 2Go, MSNBC, MTV, Nickelodeon, CNN Mobile and PIX.
My review is a bit different. I asked my buddy, George Kauss, whose previous company, Vesuvius owned the patents to make the technology work. (Their patents were sold to Qualcomm.) George is now with a new company, Vulano Group. Here's George's review of the service and how it works.
The service is available on four AT&T handsets: Samsung Access, Samsung Eternity, LG Invision and LG Vu. For the purposes of this review, I was given the Eternity to try out.
I like it alot and found myself leaving the phone on and watching CNBC during the day, watching yesterday's Senate Hearings with the Automobile Industry. (I am against a bail-out).
Aside from traditional programming the service includes two channels exclusive to AT&T:
• CNN Mobile Live provides users with access to 24 hours of breaking news with live streaming anchored coverage from CNN.com Live as well as CNN’s most popular programs, including “American Morning,” “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” “CNN Election Center,” “Larry King Live,” “Anderson Cooper 360º” and “CNN International.”
• PIX, from Sony Pictures Television, offers a variety of contemporary films, including comedies, cult classics, action films and family favorites from the studio’s vast library.
Costs...
Monthly access packages for AT&T Mobile TV begin at $15 per month for the basic package, which includes unlimited access to Mobile TV. AT&T also offers a Mobile TV plus package for $30 per month, which includes unlimited Mobile TV, unlimited mobile Web browsing on MEdia NetTM and unlimited CV mobile video. Programming is delivered to mobile phones over MediaFLO USA’s own dedicated multicast network, meaning AT&T customers do not incur additional data or voice charges.
In addition to new availability in San Antonio, AT&T Mobile TV is also available in roughly 60 markets including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
