Comments on: Listen Up, AT&T and Verizon: Five Ways to Fix Mobile TV http://blog.laptopmag.com/listen-up-att-and-verizon-five-ways-to-fix-mobile-tv News and views on today's hottest laptops, cell phones, and other mobile devices. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:37:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike Brown http://blog.laptopmag.com/listen-up-att-and-verizon-five-ways-to-fix-mobile-tv/comment-page-1#comment-20899 Mike Brown Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:56:46 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=1413#comment-20899 Why is Verizon Wireless now (June 9, 2009) down to offering only ONE handset, which is two years old(Voyager), on which Mobile TV may be viewed? The slow decrease in Mobile TV handsets over time makes me wonder if Verizon plans or will eventually be forced to discontinue Mobile TV service. Another issue that I wonder about is why Verizon Wireless stubbornly refuses to join the 21st century and allow customers to also utilize WiFi service over their VZW handsets. Has it ever occurred to corporate executives that many customers are be willing to pay for VCAST service via subscription yet at the same time wish to have WiFi for speed of connection when possible at WiFi spots or in their home or office environment? Time to move into the presesnt day, Verizon Wireless! Why is Verizon Wireless now (June 9, 2009) down to offering only ONE handset, which is two years old(Voyager), on which Mobile TV may be viewed? The slow decrease in Mobile TV handsets over time makes me wonder if Verizon plans or will eventually be forced to discontinue Mobile TV service.

Another issue that I wonder about is why Verizon Wireless stubbornly refuses to join the 21st century and allow customers to also utilize WiFi service over their VZW handsets. Has it ever occurred to corporate executives that many customers are be willing to pay for VCAST service via subscription yet at the same time wish to have WiFi for speed of connection when possible at WiFi spots or in their home or office environment?

Time to move into the presesnt day, Verizon Wireless!

]]> By: Robert http://blog.laptopmag.com/listen-up-att-and-verizon-five-ways-to-fix-mobile-tv/comment-page-1#comment-2999 Robert Tue, 06 May 2008 14:57:41 +0000 http://blog.laptopmag.com/?p=1413#comment-2999 I subscribed to Verizon MobileTV for 3 months and it quite simply isn't ready for prime time. I really didn't have a problem with channel selection, since there was usually something decent on when I wanted to watch. The problem was the coverage of the product. Verizon made a big point of touting its availability in Boulder, which is where I wanted to be able to view it. Over 80% of the time I couldn't get a signal with my VX9400, even with the antenna extended. Ironically, the coverage map and reps both said the the service wasn't available in my suburb, but it was teh one place that I was able to get consistent reception. I agree with you about the pricing. The difference between the $13-$15 plans was negligible, making the former something not to be taken seriously. I got the VCast coverage plan for an extra $10/mo., which came in handy when the TV reception didn't come in (which was often). Unfortunately, the web access for news is available only through Verizon's proprietary web site, which severly limits what you can view. (Plain old vanilla access is prohibtively expensive, especially with the VX9400 as a web browser). What can make it better? I agree with you that coverage needs to be better. The service is just too unreliable where I live (it was a little better in LA, but still not acceptable). I myself wouldn't vote on content, your second point above wouldn't do anything for me. I agree with giving the service away free as a trial, but also add the opportunity to return one's handset during the same time period. THe only reason that I got the VX9400 was for MobileTV, but now that I'm not using the service, I'd rather have the VX8700 (which is about the same price). I'd also bundle different blocks of channels at different price points. I myself would subscribe to only ESPN, CNN, and Comedy Central if available at a small price point, assuming the coverage issue gets fixed. Maybe the reason that they aren't promoting it is that it's still in somewhat of a testing phase? I know that I was really excited to get the service, but was terribly disappointed by the quality. At this point I'm waiting for better technology to emerge that can deliver the service better, whether via Verizon or some other provider / method. I subscribed to Verizon MobileTV for 3 months and it quite simply isn’t ready for prime time. I really didn’t have a problem with channel selection, since there was usually something decent on when I wanted to watch. The problem was the coverage of the product. Verizon made a big point of touting its availability in Boulder, which is where I wanted to be able to view it. Over 80% of the time I couldn’t get a signal with my VX9400, even with the antenna extended.

Ironically, the coverage map and reps both said the the service wasn’t available in my suburb, but it was teh one place that I was able to get consistent reception. I agree with you about the pricing. The difference between the $13-$15 plans was negligible, making the former something not to be taken seriously. I got the VCast coverage plan for an extra $10/mo., which came in handy when the TV reception didn’t come in (which was often). Unfortunately, the web access for news is available only through Verizon’s proprietary web site, which severly limits what you can view. (Plain old vanilla access is prohibtively expensive, especially with the VX9400 as a web browser).

What can make it better? I agree with you that coverage needs to be better. The service is just too unreliable where I live (it was a little better in LA, but still not acceptable). I myself wouldn’t vote on content, your second point above wouldn’t do anything for me. I agree with giving the service away free as a trial, but also add the opportunity to return one’s handset during the same time period. THe only reason that I got the VX9400 was for MobileTV, but now that I’m not using the service, I’d rather have the VX8700 (which is about the same price). I’d also bundle different blocks of channels at different price points. I myself would subscribe to only ESPN, CNN, and Comedy Central if available at a small price point, assuming the coverage issue gets fixed.

Maybe the reason that they aren’t promoting it is that it’s still in somewhat of a testing phase? I know that I was really excited to get the service, but was terribly disappointed by the quality. At this point I’m waiting for better technology to emerge that can deliver the service better, whether via Verizon or some other provider / method.

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