Govt urged to bring in regulatory set-up for mobile TV

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) A media industry leader today called upon the Government to put in place a regulatory set-up for the mobile TV as soon as possible to accelerate its growth.

Mr Kim Reid, CEO, Mobile TV Platforms, MIH group said here broadcasting on the mobile platform was the future and India and China held immense growth potential for this sector.

However, in the absence of proper regulations, major players in the sector were not coming up to set up their ventures in the country, he said at the New Media Congress organised by the NDTV Convergence.

''India has both frequency and the spectrum for expanding the mobile TV network,'' he said.

Though Doordarshan had started its mobile TV service on a trial basis two years ago but things seemed to have slowed down after that, said Mr Reid and urged the Government to come out with measures to facilitate the growth of the new medium.

Participating in the discussion through teleconferencing, Mr Yugal Sharma, regional director, India and South Asia Polycom, said the new media like teleconferencing were changing the way people worked and contributing to reduction of carbon emissions which was responsible for global warming.

Elaborating, he said if one could avoid a flight to New York from here by getting one's work done through teleconferencing, it would amount to reducing one's carbon footprints.

''The emerging new media does not require a large number of their employees to come to the headquarters at all, thus avoiding the need to take transport, which again leads to reduction of one's carbon footprint,'' he said.

The conference had been organised to take stock of the fast happening changes on the media scene and to deliberate on how to use the opportunities thrown up by the emergence of new media.

The inaugural session titled 'Digital Media: Worldwide Developments, Issues and Case Studies' was chaired by CEO, NDTV Networks Vikram Chandra, and the speakers were Besides Mr Kim Reid and Mr Sharma, Mr Azhar rafee-Executive Vice President, Reuters Asia and Mr Andrew Paulson, President, SUP(live Journal.com).

The other session was held on 'Convergence: Current trends, impact', 'Massmedia Internet Companies' and 'Banking, Marketing and Advertising Strategies ''New Media is a phenomenon that has dramatically altered the way people communicate. It has altered lifestyles and changing consumption patterns have forced publishers and content owners to devise new access points for the consumer on the move. With New Media set for explosive growth, it is a pertinent time to discuss the developments and opportunities available in this sector,'' the organisers of the conference said.

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