MTN subscribers to watch TV on their Java & Symbian phone, Blackberry, iPhone, others

Customers of Nigeria’s Leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, MTN, will soon be able to watch live TV on their data-enabled handsets, as the company rolls out its new Mobile TV service.

MTN Mobile TV service offers live streaming of TV content and ‘made for mobile’ video to data-enabled handsets such as Blackberry, iPhone and Samsung Galaxy range of phones, as well as tablets, such as iPad and Galaxy Tab, among others.

Although a type of mobile TV service was pioneered by MTN in 2007, it was on the Digital Video Broadcasting for Handheld (DVB-H) platform, which requires customers to purchase special handsets to enjoy the service.

However, for the first time in Nigeria, any data-enabled phone or device can watch television programmes and related content from up to twenty TV channels on his phone via MTN Mobile TV service.

All our customers need to do to enjoy this service is to activate the WAP browser on their mobile handsets and devices; they can either access MTN Mobile TV packages via the MTN Play Portal, or by typing in the address of the Mobile TV portal www.mtnonline.com/imoovtv and they are good to go,” said Mr. Larry Annetts, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, MTN Nigeria.

He said that customers can also send a short message service (SMS) with the keyword “Mobile TV” to a short code and they will be sent the link to the Mobile TV portal.

Mr. Annetts explained that there would be three bouquets to choose from, depending on a customers budget and it would be possible to subscribe to one or more Mobile TV bouquets. Speaking further, he explained that each bouquet comprises a selection of TV channels providing a variety of content ranging from news to sport and entertainment, among others.

A distinct advantage of the service is that customers will be able to select the channels of their choice from a bouquet of channels provided, he added.

Mr. Annetts stated that MTN Mobile TV service is already active on the MTN network and will be available commercially to customers shortly.

MTN Nigeria’s Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, in his comments said “MTN Mobile TV is another addition to a long list of innovative products and services we have developed for the benefit of our customers.” He said the introduction of the service bears testimony to the commitment of the company to lead innovation and customer satisfaction in the industry.

He said the company would continue to invest massively in the network to deepen its capacity to delight customers with more innovative products and services