BBC to showcase new mobile broadcasting technology

BBC Research & Development is to run the first public demonstration of DVB-T2-Lite, the new technology that is "set to transform audience's experience of watching programmes on the move".

DVB-T2-Lite, the latest version of the DVB-T2 specification that enabled the launch of Freeview HD in 2009, is designed as a cost-effective technology for applications such as mobile broadcasting to smartphones and tablet computers.

The profile can be mixed with conventional T2 signals in a single multiplex, allowing transmission operators to optimise individual broadcasts and reuse existing transmitter infrastructure.

The BBC said that in the future the T2-Lite component "could provide audiences with a reliable live 'broadcast' TV or radio experience on their handheld devices".

"Using this new profile live broadcasts can be delivered to multiple audience members without major investment in the already existing infrastructure," the corporation added.

On July 7, BBC R&D started transmissions of DVB-T2-Lite from the roof of its South Lab in west London, using a specially-created T2-lite modulator and demodulator.

DVB-T2-Lite will be showcased at the IBC 2011 conference in Amsterdam next month at the stand run by the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) project, an industry consortium of over 230 broadcasters, manufacturers, network operators, software developers and regulatory bodies committed to designing open technical standards for digital TV.

Services using DVB standards are available on every continent with more than 600 million DVB receivers already deployed. BBC R&D said that it "would be interested" in licensing DVB-T2-Lite to other broadcasters or interested parties in the future.

Last September, BT teamed up with Cisco to help establish its UK broadband network as a television platform for distributing digital content to any computer, connected TV or mobile device.

Launched this year, BT's Content Connect platform caches content deep within the IP network, meaning it can be delivered much closer to the end user, thus avoiding heavy network congestion.