 NEC's TV Phone
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July 10, 2003 — Japanese electronics giant NEC Corp. on Thursday unveiled a prototype cellphone that allows users to watch digital television broadcasts for the first time in the world.
NEC is also considering expanding the model's functions to allow users to record television programs on the cellphone, which the company is aiming to launch commercially in 2005.
Terrestrial digital television broadcasting is scheduled to start in Japan's three biggest urban areas in December, with services for mobile devices such as cellphones beginning in a few years.
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The new cellphones would also enable users to conduct push-button purchase TV shopping.
NEC has not set a target price for the new product but a marketing survey found it could be priced about 6,000-7,000 yen ($50-60) higher than regular models, an NEC official said.
At present, a typical model currently cost about $100, although many are provided free to first-time subscribers. High-end third-generation cellphone prices are three times more expensive.
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