Solaris begins mobile broadcast tests

Satellite-to-mobile specialist Solaris Mobile has begun testing mobile broadcast to hand-held devices and cars across Paris and the surrounding area in partnership with Alcatel-Lucent and TowerCast.

The companies have built a hybrid satellite-cellular network with antenna sites provided by TowerCast. Solaris, a joint venture between satellite operators SES and Eutelsat, uses S-band spectrum to complement the use of cellular networks to deliver TV to mobile devices.