Having splashed out on a sliver of 700MHz spectrum in the recent auction, DISH Network has revealed its plans to build a DVB-SH mobile TV network in the US with partner Alcatel-Lucent.  Setting out to “validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard”, the pair will use Alcatel-Lucent hardware and training to experiment with mobile TV at DISH’s Atlanta headquarters, in trials taking place between May and August this year.  If the test is deemed successful, DISH could choose to develop the system into a commercial service.

“DVB-SH is today the most powerful mobile broadcast open standard leveraging the DVB-H ecosystem and enabling an efficient delivery of TV services to all mobile devices ranging from handsets to Personal Multimedia Players and in-car units” Olivier Coste, Chairman of Alcatel-Lucent’s mobile broadcast activities

Formally defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in March this year, DVB-SH is an evolution of the DVB-H system backed by the European Commission.  It can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L band and S band, and in terrestrial, satellite or hybrid networks.  Perhaps most importantly, it’s more powerful than its predecessor.  ICO Global Communications recently launched a DVB-SH satellite intended to provide US mobile TV coverage.

[via Engadget Mobile]