Mobile TV License Granted in the United Arab Emirates

­The UAE's telecoms regulator, the TRA has awarded a Mobile TV license to a consortium that includes both mobile networks, for a payment of AED 17 million (US$4.6 million). The license is for ten years, with a five-year exclusivity period.

The consortium comprises of the mobile networks, Etisalat and Du, along with Abu Dhabi Media, Dubai Media, Emirates Communications and Technologies Company a subsidiary of TECOM Investment, and MBC.

The consortium has selected (DVB-H) technology for their Mobile TV service.

"By this license the TRA succeeded to bring together the main players in Media and Telecommunication sectors to form a partnership to provide such services in the country, the UAE companies of the two sectors considered to be the leaders in the region." H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General of Telecommunication Regulatory Authority said.

Mr. AlGhanim also added: "The consortium will provide unique and exclusive packages for subscribers. There will be one network, and that what TRA aimed to achieve since its inception to avoid the duplication of infrastructure and reduction of expenditure. This will lead to ensuring that the companies can concentrate in product innovation and providing better services to their subscribers".

The consortium will provide its services to "Etisalat", and "du" who will provide variety of competitive and exclusive mobile TV packages to their subscribers. With that, the TRA has maintained competition between the companies and reduced the capital expenditure of building networks in the country, which will lead to positive impact on the end user pricing.

The company is expected to provide at least 13 channels for the subscribers of live TV broadcasting service. The service is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of next year and the network will cover majority of UAE population.

Posted to the site on 26th October 2009