China Mobile: We’d Like Mobile TV — But We’re Not Doing Content!

David Feng

No, we can’t exactly call this one “wishful thinking”, but we’d like to get close by calling this “wish-full thinking”. Sohu IT has it that Wang Jianzhou, the CEO of China Mobile, is calling for the release — as fast as possible — of mobile phone TV standards — hopefully before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But — here’s the other bit of the news — Wang stated that the attitude of China Mobile is to push for the promotion of mobile TV. Looking for content on mobile TV? Sorry; China Mobile isn’t in the biz to do the actual content.

It goes without saying that without content, a new media platform is as good as — dormant (or dead if you prefer the more blunt term). And while we’re sure that there’ll be quite a good load of quality content, to push for the standardization and promotion of mobile TV — and then to walk away from the content — makes me feel like this is “wish-full thinking” without much action.

They are, after all, looking for action on the (rather small) silver screen!

Tags: blognation, China, blognation China, Mainland China, mobile TV, mobile television

Company Index: China Mobile

Helen Keegan UNITED KINGDOM

Says:
December 11th, 2007 at 11:14 pm

I think you’ve missed the point of China Mobile’s strategy to *not do content*. I actually applaud them that they’re not in the business of creating content. Absolutely spot on. They’re in the business of providing telephony and data services, of which, mobile TV is one. Leave the creation of mobile TV or other mobile content to those who specialise in it and give them the tools and platforms to do that.

It’s like the gold rush back in the 19th Century… those who sold spades did best. China Mobile sounds like they’re going to be selling spades. And a lot more of them if they can get the mobile TV standards up and running in time for the Olympics. Very sensible.

Charles Frith CHINA