May 25, 2007
Hurdles to mobile video
Despite the increased bandwidth and improved capabilities of the mobile-phone networks in the U.S., relatively few people use their cell phones to watch video -- according to analyst Mark Donovan of M:Metrics, less than 2 million people watched programmed TV on their mobiles. The Los Angeles Times reports.
One of the problems is the existing business model that does not offer a report on the number of people who see an ad. There is no single standard for measurement for mobile-phone carriers.
Another reasons is that carriers have been handicapping the market by charging too much for mobile video services; some of the early offerings were 40% to 50% of the price of the typical mobile voice service.
Other hurdles include bandwidth, the supply of video-capable handsets, the programming that's available, and consumers' lack of awareness. There's also the issue of finding what's available.
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