BT trials live TV for mobiles

BT is to pilot a wholesale mobile TV service this summer that will let customers watch live broadcasts, including the latest news headlines from Sky.

The service, called Livetime, lets mobile customers access TV and radio channels via DAB digital radio-enhanced mobile devices such as smartphones and personal media players.

Selected Virgin Mobile customers within the M25 will take part in a four-month trial, starting this month. They will be able to access the latest headlines live from Sky Sports News and Sky News, new music channel Blaze, more than 50 digital radio channels and the UK’s first Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) delivered to a mobile device.

Graeme Hutchinson, sales and marketing director of Virgin Mobile, said: "This is undoubtedly the most exciting mobile television service in the industry. No one else offers the ability to receive live television on your mobile, an electronic programme guide, or the ability to use the service anywhere.

"This mobile television service is revolutionary, yet it uses an existing technology which can be used right here, and right now, unlike some other forthcoming mobile TV offerings. We think the service is going to change forever the way people use their mobile phones, and we know our customers are going to love it."

According to BT, the new service is a "cost-effective method of giving very large numbers of consumers, high quality TV services".