Nokia and Motorola, the two largest handset makers, are to co-operate on mobile television in an effort to set the global standard for the technology.

The two companies will work to make their DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast - Handheld) handsets and network services compatible with each other.

"Among the many digital technologies available to deliver mobile TV services, Motorola and Nokia both view DVB-H as an effective technology for deploying broadcast mobile TV," they said in a joint statement.

O2, the mobile group owned by Spain's Telefónica, has already trialled a mobile TV service using DVB-H, which is similar to the signal used for Freeview TV, in the UK. Nokia is spearheading several trials in Asia, Europe and North America.

However, the technology faces a number of competitors, including DAB digital radio signals, which are to be used by a new Virgin Mobile TV service in the UK that starts next month. Both technologies are being tested in a long-term trial involving Microsoft, Arqiva and others in Cambridge.

While the UK has a well-developed DAB infrastructure, industry analysts say DVB-H has more momentum abroad. In contrast, 3G, once widely championed by telecoms groups, is now largely seen as only a short-term solution to providing mobile television services.

Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, will also play a key part in deciding the fate of each standard when it re-allocates those parts of the broadcast spectrum freed up by the switch to digital television, due to be completed by 2012.

According to Informa, the market analysts, more than 50 million DVB-H enabled mobile devices will be sold globally by 2010. Mobile advertising, including mobile TV, is expected to reach $11.35 billion a year within five years but delivering a service which emulates the standards set by traditional TV is seen as key.

"We need interoperable mobile devices and systems which deliver the best experience for consumers and enable enjoyable, live broadcast TV when and where it suits them," Harri Mannisto, director of multimedia experiences at Nokia said.

Rob Bero, director of broadcast technologies at Motorola, added: "Interoperability will play a key role in bringing these services to market faster,"

DVB-H is being touted as offering the potential to deliver good picture quality on mobile devices with lower battery consumption than competing technologies. Up to 50 TV channels can be delivered with low cost, over one network, Nokia and Motorola claim.

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