Thomson provides the full range of technologies necessary for content providers, broadcasters and operators to launch interactive mobile TV solutions. Thomson’s Grass Valley head end equipment supplies coding, compression and security technologies whilst Thomson’s SmartVision service platform is located in the core network of its mobility solution, managing and delivering audio-visual contents and interactive services via broadcast to mobile receivers.

Thomson’s SmartVision helps operators and broadcasters drive user revenues by creating live TV offers that can be packaged as a bouquet of channels, following a free-to-air or pay-per view model. SmartVision integrates an authentication, authorisation and accounting system to identify users and the services they are entitled to use. Viewers are sent, via ‘push’ mode, a catalogue of video on demand services that they can select from. They will automatically receive content requested which can be either downloaded for later viewing or watched in connected mode.

SmartVision complies with the multicast file delivery system as specified by DVB-IPDC. It can be used to deliver bitmaps, texts, and applications for interactive services, such as ringtone downloads, alert messages, enhanced advertisements, etc. and associate a specific content to a live TV program, such as SMS voting.

SmartVision can provide users with an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) listing all the services available: Video-on-demand, interactive applications, etc. to promote value added features and drive ARPU. The ESG also lists current and scheduled programs that are, or will be available on each channel along with a short summary or commentary for each program. SmartVision allows operators to define the service plans that will be proposed to the end-users.

Thomson’s SmartVision service platform is designed for interactive and convergent services. It manages remote self-care, interactive barker channels or pay per season packages, all available on multiple devices. Thomson’s solutions are based on open architecture and the return link for interactive services can be based on GSM, 3G, WiFi or Bluetooth networks. SmartVision can support several mobile network operators accessing the same broadcast bearer. Each mobile network operator manages his own services and his own electronic service guide.