Europe backs DVB-H as mobile TV standard

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Digital video standard DVB-H has been chosen by the European Commission as a single European Union standard for mobile television broadcasting.

However, the decision has been met by stiff opposition from several countries, including the UK.

DVB-H, promoted by companies such as Nokia, is so far the only standard with a global presence, while South Korea, Japan, the US and China are embracing locally-derived alternatives.

"DVB-H will be published by the Commission in the list of official EU standards," the EU's executive said in a statement.

"As a result, all EU Member States will have to support and encourage the use of DVB-H for the launch of mobile TV services, thus avoiding market fragmentation and allowing economies of scale and accordingly affordable services and devices," it said.

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said this was "the only way to go" to develop the fledgling industry, adding that once DVB-H is in the EU list it would de facto become the single standard for the EU.

A Commission official said countries opposed to the move - led by the UK, Germany and the Netherlands - would need to gather a majority of two thirds of the EU's 27 states to block it when they meet to fine tune the decision. A British official said they would try to get that majority.

"It is premature to consider intervening in the market for mobile TV," said Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Competitiveness. "All current competing standards should be listed (by the EU), not just DVB-H."

Several mobile TV trials have taken place in the UK over the last year, using DVB-H, MBMS and other proprietary systems, as well as streaming over 3G mobile phone networks.

EU telecoms ministers said in a statement that the DVB-H norm should not be mandatory.

(Additional reporting by IT PRO)

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