Mobile TV, I want it to be free as in beer

"People were excited about it -- until they learned they had to pay for it" a quote from Yoram Solomon of Texas instruments on how mobile TV is struggling with getting to mass markets.

This quote is a good example of how we are looking at Mobile TV in the wrong way. Phone makers are delivering the capabilities, the technology and network can support high quality streaming, but customers are not interested. Why is that?

It's because the business model at this stage is wrong. As a consumer I would not want to jump into paying for TV on a mobile, when I really don't and can't know how well it will work. I need to be eased into the usage. This is why the business model of paying for any access it not going to work.

Providers need to find a strong middle-way, maybe even tipping closer to the free side for now, so that people get started on mobile TV with their already existing phones that support it. Investment wise this is peanuts for the larger providers, if they are able to hook people. And of course on the other side of the line, there is paid content that you need to buy, just as Cable or something else.

Providers just need to be a bit more innovative on mobile TV and we will see it flourish soon.