Antenna Monopoly

 
Mobile TV After the positive decision for Swisscom, competitors fear for their business model. 
Swisscom Broadcast was recently awarded the contract to set up a network for television on cell phones. Competitor Mobile TV Schweiz (with German partner T-Systems Media & Broadcast) came away empty-handed, although the company of Biel founder Bruno Bucher - in stark contrast to Swisscom Broadcast - has developed special applications for mobile-friendly preparation of TV content for the cell phone small screen. For the time being, Swisscom Broadcast will content itself with transmitting TV programs one-to-one to the mouse cinemas, according to Giovanni Conti, head of Swisscom Broadcast, who recently told the Berner Zeitung that the company is in contact with Swisscom, Sunrise and Orange. A business model for Euro 08 is already in place.
In order to be able to implement its business model after all, Bucher's Mobile TV Switzerland is trying to obtain free access to Swisscom Broadcast's antenna systems, not least with the consent of the largest user, SRG. However, if no agreement is reached, Bucher is considering taking the matter to the Competition Commission because Swisscom Broadcast is exploiting a monopoly position. It is not yet clear whether his business model is secure, Bucher said on request. However, he does not intend to announce whether he wants or needs to take legal action until the Biel Communications Days.
René Worni