Cell phones to televise live sports

By Detria Nelson
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

Now Sprint PCS Vision subscribers can enjoy live college football games on their cell phones every Saturday through a MobiTV's College Sports Television.

Those with MobiTV compatible phones just simply download and enjoy.

The MobiTV service consists of a Java application that runs on your mobile phone and a network that broadcasts television content. MobiTV works directly with television stations and has a license to broadcast the content.

Subscribers can also receive channels such as ABC News Now, CSTV, NBC Mobile, MSNBC, Comedy Time, Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, College Sports Television, FOX Sports and many others for about $10.

New channels are constantly being added and subscribers may suggest channels as well.

PCS Vision subscribers receive a $5 monthly credit (with Picture Pack) and $10 monthly credit (with Premium Pack) that can be used toward MobiTV.

"It is cool for people who will be at work," student Chris Newton said. "Or for people without a radio in their car."

CSTV televises 30 men's and women's college sports. The network also televises college basketball, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, volleyball, wrestling and several NCAA championships.
This service will allow you to catch shows such as The Best Damn Sports Show.

MobiTV is the only global television network targeting 1.2 billion mobile phone users.

The network delivers live programming over existing cellular networks just like actual television programming.

MobiTV shows East coast time zone programming, which MobiTV users on the West coast can catch their programs three hours earlier than their friends.

"At this rate cell phones will replace the television" student Tavara Nobles said.

Viewers do not need any extra equipment besides their carrier's data package and a subscription to MobiTV.

There is no nerve wrecking menus to follow. MobiTV is as easy as using a remote control.

MobiTV even offers easy access to switch your server to Sprint.

"It is a good idea for people who are willing to pay for it," student Charles Dorsey said. "As long as people don't use it when they are driving or anything, and use it responsibly."

If people are watching the regular television in their homes, they may experience a slight delay before the same television content appears on your mobile phone. This is because the MobiTV network must buffer the television content to deliver it to their phone.

Although most MobiTV compatible phones allow the use of earpieces, reception is not exactly satisfactory in roaming areas.

Most Sprint phones will not interrupt a game for an incoming call or message. There are only a couple of exceptions. If the phone has voicemail, calls will be sent directly to the voicemail.