(Picture from Smart's website)

It was long, long ago when the TV was invented. It has been a huge part in the homes of many Filipinos. More often that not, we Filipinos can be found watching TV when we're not doing anything else, when we're bored, or when we simply want to unwind. But ever wish we could bring our TV sets with us? That may now be possible.

Last August, Smart Communications launched the first DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld), or even the first DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting), service in the country dubbed myTV. Mga Pinoy nga naman, basta cellphone. First, what is DVB-H? According to www.dvb-h.org, the official DVB-H website, it is the specification for bringing broadcast services to battery-powered handheld receivers.

In simpler terms, it means that we can now watch TV on mobile devices. But, hasn't that been possible years ago? Yes, but it was on analog signals. Now, its on digital signals. And now, it is integrated into mobile phones. You can now watch TV virtually anywhere as long as you have a DVB-H capable phone, and you're in an area with DVB-H coverage. So far, the only DVB-H handset in the Philippine market, as far as I know, is the Nokia N92, currently free on Plan 2500 (about US$53) under Smart if you avail of the handset only, free under Plan 1800 (about $39) if you subscribe to myTV with a 14-month myTV lock-in contract . (www.smart.com.ph)

The following is a list of the initially covered areas, available channels, and the subscription fee (Smart):

Covered Areas:
1. Mega Manila
2. Baguio
3. Tagaytay
4. Batangas
5. Cebu
6. Davao

Available Channels:
1. Cartoon Network
2. ETC (Entertainment Central)
3. JackTV
4. Pinoy Box Office
5. MTV
6. CNN
7. Basketball TV
8. Solar Sports
9. PBA
10. The History Channel
11. National Geographic Channel

Service is free until the end of the month. After that, the service will cost you Php 488/month (about US$10-11). Personally, I don't find it to be that expensive. Unlimited watching anytime, anywhere (provided that the battery nor reception is dead) of some of my favorite channels.

The only disadvantage to this is that, you have to have a DVB-H handset. 3G handsets aren't even that popular on the mass market. But for those with regular 3G handsets, rival telco Globe Telecoms launched (or rather, relaunched) its own mobile TV service dubbed as mobile TV, powered by 3G with HSDPA network. Of course, its a Globe offering, so expect it to be costly, Php 5/minute with still fewer channels -- ABS-CBN, GMA 7, theHUB, and Sports (the last two I've never heard of). For Smart subscribers with 3G but non-DVB-H handsets, you can still have ABS-CBN and GMA 7 under Smart's 3G network, somewhat more limited, but still more expensive (Php 20 channel fee/day + Php 15 streaming fee/30 mins.).