Lagos — Nokia, pioneer in mobile telecommunications and Digital Mobile TV (DMTV), a subsidiary of Multichoice have signed a partnership that consumers can now watch DStv's menu of TV programs and sports from Nokia N96 and N77 mobile phones at no cost for the next 12 months. The Nokia and DMTV partnership, working with MTN, will see MTN subscribers in Nigeria access Mobile TV through Digital Video Broadcast Handheld (DVB-H)-enabled Nokia phones. Mobile TV is a technology that allows people to view live television content on their mobile phones or other mobile devices that they ordinarily would only get through traditional cable or pay TV subscription at home.

Speaking during the signing ceremony and media briefing which held last Wednesday at the Nokia Office in Lagos, Marketing Manager Multichoice Nigeria, Donald Etim said, "Activating the MobileTV service is easy as subscribers only need to buy a DVB-H enabled handset, insert their MTN SIM card and activate the service. We are confident that the DStv Mobile service will gain wide acceptance because of Nokia's dominance in the Nigerian market". DStv Mobile broadcast covers Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan, though reception signals may vary outside the metropolis. A bouquet of nine channels is available: CNN, Africa Magic, NTA International, Magic Plus, Supersports 9, Supersports Blitz, Channel O, Cartoon Network and TBN. Other channels are also being considered for the service including Big Brother Africa, which will begin broadcast on 24th August with the start of the selection process.

The DStv Mobile service will allow MTN subscribers to watch live matches of the World Cup, English Premier League and Spanish La Liga games LIVE on DStvMobile when the leagues resumes in August. To celebrate the signing of the partnership, a "Comes with 12 months DStv mobile access" promotion is being run.

"This is an exciting time for mobile convergence in Africa," said Philip De La Vega, General Manager, Nokia Nigeria. "We are especially pleased that Nokia, working together with DMTV and MTN, are able to offer consumers 12 months free access to DStv Mobile when they purchase a compatible DVB-H handset and activate the service. This showcases the enormous advancements in devices technology, now enabling TV on-the-go-for consumers," said De La Vega. Etim also said the partnership with MTN and Nokia was an indication of the companies' responsiveness to customer needs and devotion to continually improve service delivery.