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Smart myTV faces more delays

Yesterday’s news about the PLDT’s new digital TV offering in Smart myTV isn’t any good to potential customers as more groups are moving to block the roll-out. This time, it’s the Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA).


Well, it’s becoming more obvious. Aside from the fact that the there are no existing rules with the NTC on digital TV/broadcasting. Inquirer.net reports:

The Philippine Cable Television Association (PCTA) has formally moved to block the mobile TV service myTV of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and its subsidiaries, but will be sparing the 3GTV service of PLDT’s rival, Globe Telecom Inc.

The PCTA has close to 300 members, including SkyCable. Among the many issues the cable group had against myTV was that it uses DTTH (Direct terrestrial television for handheld) bandwidth.

The NTC is currently reworking its guidelines on digital TV and has allowed PLDT’s wholly owned Smart Communications Inc., which handles billing for the myTV service, to continue the demo as long as it is offered for free.

Globe Telecoms has a similar offering with their 3GTV (Globe Mobile TV) but since it is stream via the 3G network, it’s cover under their earlier franchise.

That means access to Smart myTV is still free and PLDT cannot start charging subscribers unless this issue is resolve with the National Telecommunications Commission. Smart previously announced that free public access was only until August 31.

Besides, the two available handsets for digital TV (the Nokia N77 and N92) are still very expensive and in the range of Php18k to Php20k a pop. The other question would be “would you buy these specific handsets just because of the mobile TV capability?”.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

7 Responses

  1. Avatar for misterpinoy misterpinoy says:

    I hope there will be a free access to some free channels soon.

  2. Avatar for jeffrey jeffrey says:

    Merong mga mobile phone ngayon sa market na made from china or korea ata na pwede ka manood ng local tv stations ata…

    hmmm… para mga nagtitipid tingin ko mas patok un…

  3. Avatar for Chino Yray Chino Yray says:

    well most people who are living in the internet rarely watches TV… or better yet, people like me who spends most of their time going out or just in front of the PC.

  4. Avatar for SELaplana SELaplana says:

    i guess, i will buy one of these expensive phone just to access myTV thing…..

  5. Avatar for Watz Watz says:

    How about taking a look on the other gadgets out there who has the capability of an analog tv but with a compatible chips for philippine current.

    Try the ZTC variant handsets. a much lower price but witht the TV and all other stuff.

  6. Avatar for Watz Watz says:

    How about taking a look on the other gadgets out there who has the capability of an analog tv but with a compatible chips for philippine current.

    Try the ZTC variant handsets.

  7. Avatar for ConradMiguel | StudentBlogger ConradMiguel | StudentBlogger says:

    TV phones are still too expensive, very impractical.

    I hope SMART would continue their free mobile TV services. ;D

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