Work carried out in Cambridge with Microsoft resulted in a platform that uses DAB's enhanced packet mode to deliver an IP-based TV service for BT Movio. At around the same time, a different approach was developed in Korea, known as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, or DMB. This technique uses the same approach of inserting TV  services as just another type of data into the DAB-bearer. However, the two technologies are not compatible, each having its advantages and disadvantages.

In order to gain experience and in-depth knowledge of the two technologies, and hence be in a position to advise customers and potential customers of their respective merits, Arqiva is providing the L-Band broadcast network for the London DMB/DAB Technology Trial.

The objectives of the trial are to:

• Compare the two WorldDAB Eureka 147 standard approaches to mobile data broadcasting over the DAB bearer
• Test use of Korean T-DMB and DAB-IP (as used by BT Movio) over enhanced packet mode as a TV system - Phase 1
• L-band coverage in the urban environment
• Review of L-band handsets and their capability
• Explore the ability to add data applications (Eg. Enhanced radio and traffic information) to the main services to enable richer services to be created
• Understand the possibility of interactivity over the back channel  - Phase 2

The transmission is from the BT Tower and Croydon under an Ofcom test and development licence, and the Arqiva head-end at Croydon

Co-operation partners include:

• Unique Interactive, Arqiva, GCap, BBC, BT Movio, iPark London, RadioScape, Factum and Virgin Mobile
• Korean Ministry for Information and Communications

Content Partners include:

• Video: BBC (News 24), ITV (ITV Play), Turner (Cartoon Network), Teachers TV
• Radio: GCAP (Core), Chrysalis (Heart), UBC/C4 (OneWord)

Equipment:

Samsung, LG, OnTimeTek, Pixtree

Head-end: Radioscape and Harris