Toshiba to End Mobile Digital Satellite Broadcasting

[Satellite Today 07-30-08] Mobile Broadcasting Corp., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., will stop mobile digital satellite broadcasting services at the end of March, the company announced July 29.
    Mobile Broadcasting launched mobile S-band services in October 2004 under the brand name Mobaho. The service provided eight video channels, 30 audio channels and data information services using S-band services provided by MBSat along with terrestrial repeaters. The company later expanded its services to provide information such as water temperatures, sea currents and sea surface height to marine users via a partnership with Japan Fisheries Cooperatives.
    But growing demand for free broadcasting services cut into the demand for the service, and the number of subscribers never reached a sufficient level to sustain operations, Toshiba said. Toshiba will record a special loss of 25 billion yen ($232.2 million) to shutter the business.
    Toshiba remains in the mobile satellite handheld business as a partner in the TU Media joint venture in Korea with SK Telecom.