MediaFLO Japan Planning Inc.
KDDI Corporation
November 4, 2009
KDDI and MediaFLO Japan Planning Inc. are pleased to announce that they have started the verification test of a service to distribute various types of digital content using MediaFLO™-capable test mobile handset receivers developed by KDDI. These tests, which started on Nov 4, are part of the verification test of multimedia broadcasting services for mobile terminals (MediaFLO™) being conducted in the special ubiquitous zone located in Naha City and Tomigusuku City, Okinawa.
During the multichannel broadcast verification test launched on April 16, 2009, MediaFLO Japan Planning simultaneously broadcast 20 video test channels and 3 audio test channels and verified the high bandwidth efficiency of using statistical multiplexing, the most unique feature of MediaFLO. In cooperation with a total of thirty content providers, the following items will be verified: real-time streaming of video and audio content; IP data casting, in which information such as stock prices, news, and traffic information is distributed in real time and continuously updated; and clipcasting in which various types of digital content including news video, music such as Chaku-uta Full® and video clips, photos, electronic books, and games are distributed in a packaged format.
For news items, both the news article and video are shown in real time on the same screen, making it possible for users to check the details of the news item they are interested in by clicking it.
In addition, songs played during a program are linked to an encrypted file that is distributed along with the program, and it is possible to enjoy previously broadcast music after the program is over by purchasing the rights to the Chaku-uta Full® and video clip of songs one likes.
In addition to local information such as sightseeing, traffic, and weather information for Okinawa, users can enjoy services that are only possible with multimedia broadcasting for mobile terminals, which include broad-band clipcasts (two-hours worth of video distributed in a single time), interactive services based on the ability to vote during programs, and the selective display of stock price information that the user wants from bulk information distributed.
While obtaining data necessary for the development of receivers, other activities will be undertaken, including surveys on how receptive monitors are to particular trial services, and the results obtained from this trial will be useful in commercializing services.
Through this verification test, MediaFLO Japan Planning and KDDI will contribute to the development of multimedia broadcasting for mobile terminals, which is expected to be a new type of media.
The following content providers are cooperating with the verification test.
| Service | Company | Contents, Type |
|---|---|---|
| News service | TV Asahi Corporation | Text news, video news |
| Original music broadcasting |
MUSIC ON! TV Inc. | Program production |
| Label Gate Co.,Ltd. mora keitai full, mora keitai video |
On-air broadcast music linked "Chaku-uta®" and video clips | |
| Original drama broadcasting |
KDDI Corporation | Program production |
| IP data casting |
WEATHERNEWS INC. | Weather |
| MTI Ltd. | Transportation | |
| QUICK Corp. | Information service such as stocks | |
| Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc. | Stock and stock index | |
| NIKKEI DIGITAL MEDIA INC. | Stock index | |
| Real-time streaming broadcasting |
WEATHERNEWS INC. | Video (Weather) |
| Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. | Video (Animation) | |
| Satellite Channels Inc. | Video (News) | |
| AXN Japan Inc. | Video (Drama) | |
| FM Okinawa Inc. | Audio (Radio) | |
| OKINAWA EIZOU CENTER CO,LTD. | Video (Sightseeing) | |
| Kids Station Inc. | Video (Animation) | |
| J-WAVE, Inc. | Audio (Radio) | |
| SPACE SHOWER NETWORKS INC. | Video (Music) | |
| Discovery Japan, Inc. | Video (Entertainment) | |
| Nikkei CNBC Japan, Inc. | Video (News) | |
| NIKKEI RADIO BROADCASTING CORPORATION | Audio (Radio) | |
| FOX International Channels (Japan) | Video (Drama) | |
| MUSIC ON! TV Inc. | Video (Music) | |
| Accumulated clip cast |
Walt Disney Company (Japan) Ltd. | Movie, drama |
| Kodansha Ltd. | E-book | |
| Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. | Game | |
| J-WAVE, Inc. | Audio | |
| NBC UNIVERSAL | Movie, drama | |
| Shueisha Inc. | E-book | |
| SEGA Corporation | Game | |
| Sony Pictures Entertainment (Japan) lnc. | Movie, drama | |
| NIKKEI RADIO BROADCASTING CORPORATION | Audio | |
| NIKKATSU Corporation | Movie, drama | |
| Twentieth Century Fox | Movie, drama | |
| Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. | Movie, drama |
Verification test of multimedia broadcasting services for mobile terminals in the special ubiquitous zone
Summary of verification tests conducted in the special ubiquitous zone| Verification test | Radio wave propagation verification test, SFN construction, and moving test undertaken with Toyota Motor Corporation | Multi-channel broadcasting verification test | Service verification test (current test) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location of verification test |
Tomigusuku City | Naha City and Tomigusuku City | Same as left |
| Date verification test launched |
November 28, 2008 | April 16, 2009 | November 4, 2009 |
| Details of the verification test |
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| Handsets used for verification test | Test receivers which make it possible to view and hear limited content | Same as left | Trial mobile handset receivers that make it possible to watch and hear various types of digital content that link communication and broadcast |
