Taiwan-based Dopod and Asustek Computer have voiced their support for the China Mobile Multimedia Broadcasting (CMMB) standard, with both companies planning to develop mobile TV devices to cater to the consumer market in China, according to market sources.

In addition to Taiwan-based companies, a number of foreign firms, including Nokia, Motorola, LG Electronics, NXP Semiconductors, Marvell and UTStarcom, recently also attended a CMMB technology symposium held in Shenzhen, China, to tap the market potential to be brought upon by the commercialization of the CMMB standard before the 2008 Olympics, the sources noted.

While telecom operators in China are planning to complete the installation of CMMB networks in 37 major cities in China in the first half of 2008, China also plans to launch a satellite to enable CMMB broadcasting prior to the inauguration of the Olympic Games, said the sources.

Dopod is expected to rely on High Tech Computer (HTC) for the production of CMMB-compliant mobile TV devices since HTC has already begun mass-production of DVB-H and DAB-IP mobile handsets, the sources indicated.

Although Asustek has yet to begin manufacturing mobile TV devices, the company has devoted itself to the development of mobile TV handsets for a period of time and the company should be able to enter mass production when the timing is ripe, stated the sources.