Some early mobile TV services are being provided over 2.5G and 3G networks. However, current cellular networks are not well suited to mass market broadcasting services.

The reason for this is that with current services provided over cellular networks, there is an inherent limitation on the number of simultaneous streams that can be supported. At the moment this is understood to be between 6 and 12 simultaneous streams per cell.

Consequently, based on this example, only 12 people could watch the World Cup final in any cell.

Improvements in cellular networks and/or complementary broadcast networks are needed to provide reliable mass market broadcast delivery platforms if mobile TV is going to reach its full market potential.