Despite the announcement that Multichoice will be rolling out a 3G based Mobile TV offering from the 1st of August the company has confirmed that it remains committed to delivering a DVB-H service as soon as possible.

The company announced yesterday that Multichoice will make its streaming television service available to the public on the 1st of August for a price of R59 per month or R19 per week.

This service will offer 22 channels which will be made available to cellphone users. Channels will be streamed, rather than broadcast, over Vodacom’s 3G network, to users who utilize the Vodafone Live content platform.

Earlier this year the company hit a snag in the DVB-H process when it’s application for mobile television rights in South Africa using the DVB-H platform was submitted late to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. As a result, the submission was not accepted.

DSTv Mobile’s PR and Communications Manager Maiyo Simapungula today revealed that the company has “submitted an application to ICASA and awaits the completion of their process” adding that “DSTv is continuously exploring new platforms for its services and believe [3G] to be a viable route to market”.

In addition to this Simapungula confirmed that DVB-H testing is still underway, which signals DSTv Mobile’s intentions to deliver this service despite the regulatory challenges associated with it.

Simapungula also added that the company does not have “an exclusivity arrangement with Vodacom and is constantly looking for ways to improve our offering to the public.”

Going forward, DSTv Mobile is in dire need of strong action on ICASA’s part with regards to mobile television regulation. If this comes through for the group then South African consumers may see a long awaited DVB-H service being offered on a commercial level.