The Broadcasting sector has been evolved in terms of service production, transmission platform and reception devices in the last few decades. In contrast to cable and satellite platform, which are suitable for fixed reception only, the terrestrial digital platform can support portable, mobile and fixed reception scenarios. In general, there are two options of mobile multimedia service; one is based on a mobile communication network with IP cast known as MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services), while the other is based on broadcast technology. In the context of convergence, the players in the mobile sector argues that unlike traditional mobile network systems, where the use was restricted to a given application, emerging mobile networks will be able to carry a variety of services and accordingly separate broadcasting networks will no longer be required. In line with argument, it is not economically viable to roll out dedicated wireless broadband networks by the broadcasters to meet the increasing demand for interactive broadcasting services. That is why the broadcasters may look for innovative mechanism to deliver the broadcast services over mobile broadband network owned by the telecommunication operators.
The focus on this paper is to investigate the incentives and challenges for such trend in developing countries; taking Sudan as case study. The main conclusion in this paper indicate that a potential economic incentive for delivering the broadcasting service over cellular network in Sudan subject to the deployment of high efficient mobile network. Moreover, the mobile operators may consider support such approach considering the increase demand for additional frequency resource. However, the key challenges remain in how to develop a suitable regulations landscape to assure fair and competitive business practices on hand while guaranteeing the continuation of the public broadcasting service. In this regard, a new regulation framework needs to be developed to separate the three key functions in digital terrestrial broadcasting value chain (namely the content production and distribution). Further on, the necessary interconnection regulations need to put on place in order to pave the way for rollout of common platform that are necessary for interactive and nonlinear services.
QC 20150206