Mobiles Fernsehen: EU-Standard noch vor dem Sommer[en] 

"Disappointed" with member states' failure to agree on a single technology standard that would strengthen the fledgling but potentially lucrative mobile TV market, the EU's telecommunications chief threatened the industry with regulation. 

"I could mandate a standard," she said on 16 March at the world's largest technology fair, CeBIT, in Hanover, saying that a single standard would drive investment and innovation and would be "the best way to ensure a quick and large take-up of mobile TV by Europeans". 

The Commissioner wants member states to rally round the EU's preferred standard – the so-called DVB-H (digital video broadcasting, handheld) – in which it has already invested some €40 million – rather than developing the rival DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) standard, which has allowed Korea to become a leading pioneer in the field and is already fitted to many Korean-made mobiles making their way into Europe. 

A Commission survey shows that, currently, 17 EU nations back DVB-H, whereas five are testing DMB. 

"Someone has to take charge," said Reding. "If it has to be done, I'll do it," she said, nevertheless adding: "I hope they agree because I would really not like to intervene with regulatory measures…The deadline is this summer." 

But, the European Mobile Broadcasting Council (EMBC), formed on the Commission's request to deliver guidance on the introduction of mobile broadcasting in Europe, said: "It is very clear that different market players favour different technologies for various legitimate reasons…Given the over-riding principle of technology neutrality, it is not appropriate for regulators to favour particular technologies." 

Fritz Pleitgen, president of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which represents national broadcasters, agreed: "The pace of technological development precludes the adoption of any one standard for mobile broadcasting at this stage." He added that content is the key to the take up of the new technology. "The obstacle of current copyright regimes must be overcome. New devices will not be attractive unless they can show what the audience wants to see." 

Mobile TV boomed during the 2006 Football World Cup and Reding estimates that the worldwide market for broadcast mobile TV services and products could grow from around €2 billion in 2006 to €11.4 billion by 2009.