Virgin Mobile will become the first operator in Europe to launch a Mobile TV service this year. The service will be based on DAB rather than the mobile TV formats pushed by the handset manufacturers (principally Nokia's DVB-H, which is set to become the European standard). Users of the service will be able to watch mobile TV on Virgin's new mobile TV phone, the Trilogy, which was developed for the operator by BT, TTP and HTC.

Read more about Virgin Mobile's Mobile TV phone and service after the jump.

[Source: Slashphone]

Virgin Mobile Trilogy Mobile TV Phone

The Virgin Mobile Trilogy is the world's first mobile device based on IP delivered over a broadcast network. It features a 2.2" screen - ideal for consuming video content - and a range of other media driven features including removable storage and an integrated 1.3 mega pixel camera. Designed primarily around user feedback from the BT Movio pilot in the UK - the largest of its kind in Europe - the Trilogy is expected to have broad appeal among mobile users.

Because the Trilogy uses DAB to receive mobile TV, the handset can also receive over 350 music stations delivered over DAB digital radio. Because it's

Virgin Mobile TV Service

Virgin's Mobile TV service will use UK telco BT's Movio wholesale TV offering, which will be offered to all mobile operators in the UK. As part of the Movio service, BT has developed a strategic relationship with Microsoft to enable a secure [cough!] and efficient environment for delivering broadcast services on a mobile handset. Microsoft's Windows Media technologies, including Windows Media Video and Windows Media Audio Pro, enable BT Movio to deliver high-quality audio and video content over a DAB network using minimal bandwidth. The BT Movio service also incorporates Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology to ensure secure delivery of premium video and music content. Windows Media technologies integrate seamlessly with the Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system used by the HTC smartphones.

Graeme Hutchinson, sales and marketing director of Virgin Mobile, said: "Virgin Mobile customers will be the first people in Europe to watch real broadcast TV over their mobile phones. It's not downloaded; it's not looped; it's real TV just like you get at home, and it's real DAB digital radio - crystal clear sound."

The cost of Virgin Mobile's mobile TV service is estimated to be around £8 per month.