Automotive Mobile Audio Video

Industry Leaders Outline Next Steps At

CEMA Discovery Group Meeting

An array of industry organizations gathered in Washington, DC on Wednesday, September 15, 1999 to express interest and address concerns around the mobile multimedia broadcast service (MMBS).

The technologies, capabilities and possible applications of MMBS were among the topics explored at the Discovery Group meeting, held at the Loews' L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, DC. Spearheaded by the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA), the MMBS Discovery Group meeting brought together 44 leaders from the broadcasting, consumer electronics, automotive and information technology industries to examine the issues around creating MMBS. CEMA's Discovery Groups are a series of industry-unifying discussion forums that explore the regulatory challenges, technological issues and the need for standards in a variety of product areas.

"Many industry segments including broadcast and consumer electronics manufacturers, content and service providers and some broadcasters, expressed great enthusiasm for MMBS during the meeting," explained meeting facilitator and CEMA Director of Technology and Standards Ralph Justus. "The group agreed upon several next steps in the process and gave CEMA a clear message of support and direction."

Outreach to raise awareness of MMBS and further examination of the technology required to implement the system topped the list of the group's recommended next steps, according to Justus. "The upshot of the discussion was that there is a compelling need for the services provided by MMBS and that meeting these needs is in the public interest," Justus recounted. "The group asked that we continue to articulate this message to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other audiences."

Participants specifically suggested that CEMA spearhead a grass-roots effort to raise awareness of the system among other associations, content creators, service providers and manufacturers of broadcast and reception equipment. Further, the participants urged CEMA to encourage these groups to express their support for MMBS to the FCC.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:38 AM