Africa’s DMTV picks Nokia for DVB-H infrastructure

Nokia Siemens Networks will be providing Africa’s digital satellite television service DMTV with a DVB-H solution in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria. The DStv mobile launch in the four countries will offer a model for mobile TV service launches in other African territories. DStv has been distributed in Kenya exclusively by Safaricom since last year and runs on the DVB-H and OMA BCAST mobile broadcasting technology.

DMTV is a subsidiary of the MultiChoice Africa Group, whose primary mandate is to roll out DVB-H-based mobile TV to Africa. Nokia Siemens Networks works with more than 30 operators worldwide on DVB-H implementations, having racked up commercial launches in Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherland, Philippines and Switzerland.

“The service is currently available on Nokia N96 and N77, which both have an integrated DVB-H receiver,” said Philip De-la-Vega, Nokia general manager for Nigeria. "Users of Nokia N79, N85, N86, N97, E75 and Nokia 5800 XpressMusic devices can access DStv mobile by purchasing a Nokia Mobile TV Receiver SU-33W. We are also committed to increasing the range of supported devices especially ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”