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IP Datacast Test
Network Launched in Helsinki
10 September 2002
RTT Oy (Radio- ja Televisiotekniikan Tutkimus), the Finnish research
firm, that focuses on radio and television technology has launched
an IP Datacast (IPDC) test network in Helsinki, Finland.
The research will be conducted by the leading media houses, teleoperators
and network technology companies in Finland. The test network will
allow for the possibility to broadcast IP data to mobile terminals
with high speed, even 12 Mbit/s, by using television broadcasting
technology.
The IPDC network enables the wireless high speed transmission of
data services to large audiences simultaneously even when the terminals
are moving. Sending mobile data to several or all customers at the
same time is part of the evolution that digital television technology
and the powerful use of frequencies enables. Mobile data can be
seen as one potential form of services when preparing the national
and international legislations and use of frequencies.
By way of the test network, RTT is
testing IPDC technology and services with different kinds of terminals,
beginning with PCs and additional equipment connected to them. Actual
mobile terminals containing IPDC technology are not yet commercially
available. Because the broadcasting being used in this research
is based on IP data, the services cannot be received with the regular
digi-tv receivers designed for watching television but rather, for
the time-being, a separate special receiver is required to receive
the IP Datacast signal.
In addition to the Finnish case, research
into IPDC technology and services is also being conducted in a number
of other countries. Examples of typical services are: Internet based
video streaming that can currently be done with a laptop, or the
simultaneous transmission of files to many receivers, such as online
newspapers, games, video and voice files, computer software.
The new RTT test network covers a
big part of the Helsinki downtown area within a few kilometres radius.
There are also four 'gap-fillers' with a few kilometres reach placed
around Helsinki. When receiving data with a fixed device, the operating
range can be the approximately the same as in the digi-tv network
-- around 50 kilometers. In a network designed for mobile receiving,
the operating radius of one transmitter can only be a few kilometres.
RTT has rented the test network and
the technology from one of its members, Digita Oy, and has purchased
the server system for the transmission from Nokia. The costs for
the test system are low and the trial will be for three years. There
are similar terrestrial IPDC test networks in use for Germany and
plans for similar tests exist in some other European countries as
well.
The IPDC project, led by RTT Oy, has
participation from the companies mentioned below. RTT Oy is a non-profit
institution owned by Nokia, Sonera, Teleste and Yleisradio. Tekes,
the National Technology Agency, has partially financed the research
activities of RTT Oy and thus the research work related to the IPDC
test network.
Further information:
Internet: www.rtt.tv
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