Clearwire, ICO Team for Mobile Video

Score a point for DVB-SH: ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Ltd. and Clearwire Corp. will collaborate on a mobile video trial using the wireless broadcast network standard, which combines satellite and terrestrial networks with a broadcast overlay architecture.

“Mobile two-way video, advanced interactive navigation, plus emergency calling and messaging becomes an even more compelling value proposition when integrated with a wireless broadband network such as Clearwire’s,” said Tim Bryan, CEO of ICO. “We are well-positioned to be the first provider of next-generation mobile satellite services, and we have a clearly differentiated offering by leveraging integrated satellite and terrestrial networks to deliver advanced consumer mobility services.”

The effort is expected to begin in early 2008 in Raleigh, N.C., using Clearwire’s WiMAX network and ICO’s satellite connectivity. The trial will incorporate Alcatel-Lucent’s DVB-SH system architecture; ICO will provide the programming with its Mobile Interactive Media (MIM) suite of services, and Hughes Network Systems has been tapped to provide the end-user devices.

The companies said the trial will also focus on finding ways to use Clearwire’s 2.5GHz spectrum and ICO’s 2GHz spectrum more efficiently. ICO is also planning a similar trial in Las Vegas.

“Our next generation wireless personal broadband networks are built to deliver data, voice and video over a single network,” said Scott Richardson, chief strategy officer of Clearwire. “Working with ICO to trial an interactive mobile video element that can potentially enhance our service offering not only in areas where we don’t intend to build our own network, but that can also potentially enhance the use of infrastructure and spectrum where our coverage overlaps, makes a lot of sense.”

Clearwire Corp. www.clearwire.com
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Ltd. www.ico.com

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