More providers and devices are joining march toward mobile DTV

WGBH, one of the first pubcasting stations in the country to offer mobile DTV service to viewers (Current, Feb. 2, 2009) is now one of around 100 providers, reports the Boston Globe today (Oct. 18). But it's still a gamble: Just this month, Flo TV from Qualcomm ended sales of its devices, for which users paid $250, plus $15 monthly for service. Adding the capability to stations costs around $150,000 for equipment. Now that there's a technical standard, more providers are building out their systems, said Anne Schelle, executive director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition, a broadcasting industry trade group that counts CPB and PBS as members. And devices are beginning to proliferate. “I think you’re going to see some of the earlier products this Christmas season,’’ she added.