SMS Interactive Feature Added to Mobile TV Handsets

Arima Communications, a Taiwanese handset ODM says that it has enhanced its Mobile TV handset design incorporating Telegent's mobile TV technology to enable consumers to send and receive SMS messages while watching broadcast TV. The SMS-TV feature, which will be commercially available in handset designs this summer, is targeted towards consumers who want to chat with one another while watching their favorite programs as well as those who like to interact with participation TV programs through voting or polling. Additionally, the design enables operators to use free-to-air mobile TV to generate revenue from related phone services.

Arima's SMS-TV handset design addresses accelerating consumer interest in interacting with social networks while watching TV. A 2007 Parks Associates survey revealed that roughly one-half of broadband users age 18-24 use instant messaging while watching TV. "Text messaging is one of the top five most appealing features on a handset," said John Barrett, Director of Research at Parks Associates. "Integrating SMS with mobile TV enables a TV viewing experience that young consumers are already very familiar with."

Delivers ARPU value to operators

For operators, Arima's SMS-TV feature opens the door for generating incremental SMS and data revenue from free-to-air mobile TV. "Free-to-air TV handsets are extremely popular with consumers in our core markets," said Stephen Hung, vice president of Arima. "In Latin America and other regions, operators are adding TV handsets to their portfolios to meet this demand and differentiate their offerings. If a consumer is watching soccer and can send an SMS to a friend about the game, this interactive action can drive revenue for the operator and increases the value of the free-to-air TV feature."

When activated, Arima's SMS-TV feature automatically scales the TV screen to accommodate an SMS message window beneath it to allow sending and receiving of SMS messages. The SMS-TV feature can be implemented in both low-cost and feature phone models.

"Arima has made a significant advancement in TV handset design with the SMS-TV feature," said Weijie Yun, president and chief executive officer of Telegent Systems, "particularly because the feature adds value to both consumers and operators."

Posted to the site on 19th May 2009