TMCnews Featured Article
October 06, 2010
Qualcomm Pulls the Plug on FLO TV
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
It has always been an interesting phenomenon that TV viewing was being pushed out to phones and other mobile devices when so many users had large screen, high-definition viewing options at home. And, with technologies like TiVo (News - Alert) and On-Demand viewing, why watch something on-the-go at a size that truly limits the experience?
Qualcomm has recognized the challenges in trying to push this opportunity, and according to a recent Associated Press (News - Alert) report, has decided to focus efforts away from mobile TV service under the GLO TV brand. As a result, the wireless technology developer is ending the sale of its standalone, battery-powered portable TV sets.
Qualcomm is also considering whether or not it should discontinue service for all users, which would affect AT&T (News - Alert) and Verizon Wireless customers with specific phones. The suspension of sales alone is enough to hurt the mobile TV market, especially where subscription-based viewing is concerned. Customers using the FLO TV service pay $9 per month or more for a package of 10 to 15 live TV stations.
In the past, Qualcomm (News - Alert) had said that it was considering other options for the GLO TV network, including a sale or revamp for a different type of service channeled to cell phones. Death to the brand would be rather rapid, given that it first launched in 2007.
FLO TV viewers are safe – at least until spring as Qualcomm has said it would continue to provide service to its 3.5-inch Personal Television until that time. When they were sold, units were priced at $250. Qualcomm has agreed to issue refunds were appropriate and FLO TV unit employees should expect to see layoffs.
For those who do desire to receive TV signals on their cell phone, TV stations have begun to broadcast their own signals in a format intended for cell phones. The only problem is there are no devices on the market at this time that can actually pick up those broadcasts.
And, consumers tend to be more focused on data service than TV when it comes to their smartphones. Standard TV broadcasts cannot be easily picked up by mobile devices, and therefore require added technology. It appears, for now, consumers are just not that interested.
Earlier this year, Qualcomm announced that Warberer’s will deploy the company’s OmniExpress telematics solution to its entire fleet of 2,200 vehicles in Hungary and Romania. To manage its fleet of vehicles, the transport company will also use Qualcomm’s Web-based FleetVisor platform.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Tammy Wolf
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