MUMBAI: Telstra, Microsoft and Broadcast Australia have announced plans for Melbourne's first live demonstration showcase of mobile TV as part of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

This announcement follows the recent launch of Telstra's live Big Pond mobile 3G and broadband service for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The demonstration will use Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) technology, which allows simultaneous transmission of television, radio, video, audio and internet content to mobile phones, PDAs, PCs and other handheld devices.

The Melbourne showcase service will broadcast up to seven channels of live Commonwealth Games coverage, including Channel Nine coverage of the games on specially enabled Windows Mobile handheld devices. The handsets will operate using Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software, and the content will be broadcast using Windows Media Video 9 compression technology to ensure efficient use of bandwidth. Broadcast Australia will provide the transmission infrastructure for the showcase service.

Telstra Commonwealth Games executive Phill Sporton said viewers would be able to catch medal-winning performances in the DVB-H showcase at the Telstra Discovery Centre in Birrarung Marr for the duration of the Games. "Telstra is pleased to be able to provide an opportunity for our customers and partners to experience the new entertainment content available on mobile devices of the future," said Sporton.

The transmission of the DVB-H broadcast will begin on 15 March and end at the conclusion of the closing ceremony on 26 March.