DISH Networks teams with Alcatel-Lucent for DVB-SH trial in US

Ah ha! So this is what DISH Network was planning on doing with its recently-purchased swath of spectrum. Just under two months after analysts pondered what the firm was thinking throwing out bids for a smidgen of bandwidth -- and not even a fortnight after the ICO G1 successfully launched in order to bring DVB-SH to America -- out comes the whole truth. The satcaster is teaming up with Alcatel-Lucent to test the Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds technology right here in the US, with A-L providing the equipment, test tools and training. The evaluation will be taking place at a DISH facility in Atlanta from May until August, with the ultimate goal to "validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard." As expected, we're only given crumbs of information as to where this partnership may lead, but we should be much more clear on everything by the time the summer concludes.

[indyfishing @ Apr 24th 2008 4:55PM]

Finally!!!!!

[Dr Buzz0 @ Apr 24th 2008 6:46PM]

I'd imagine it would be some time before they come out with a full blown DVB-SH service because the Dish Network (Echostar) satellites are currently Ku and Ka band transmitters which are designed for fixed point reception with a satellite dish. These are not suitable for handheld devices because you need a high gain directional antenna.

Therefore, unless they have a capability they have not published on one of their satellites (which I doubt) they won't be able to deploy the system until they launch a suitable satellite with L-band or S-band high power beam coverage for use in the DVB-SH format.

It'll likely be a while (more than a year) before they get the can get a launch lined up.

Interesting though.

[Kennyb123 @ Apr 24th 2008 7:01PM]

What you posted sounds very smart - like you know what you're talking about. But, if they are going to start testing THIS YEAR... I'm guessing there's no lack of capability on their part. Did you think that maybe the spectrum bandwidth they bought might assist to make this all possible?

Again, you sound smarter than me, but there's no way that there is a limitation keeping them from doing this, if they are ready to test this year.

(From the article on the satellite launch)

If all goes to plan, Las Vegas, Nevada and Raleigh / Durham, North Carolina will be gifted with ICO mim (mobile interactive media) service trials "later this summer," though a commercial launch isn't slated to occur until "later in 2009."

[Dr Buzz0 @ Apr 24th 2008 7:51PM]

It will likely be a local test. There can be hybrid DVB-SH systems where there is satellite but also teresterial transmitters (kinda like satellite radio). I bet they'll probably do it locally with ground transmitters and if the devices cut it they'll go all the way with the launch.