Worldzap in International Ice Hockey Mobile Video Deal
Worldzap today announced a partnership with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to offer a trial video-based sport service to more than 200 users in Helsinki, Finland during the IIHF World Championships.
In a move to consolidate its position as the world's leading provider of sports video content to the next generation wireless market, Worldzap will team up with Sonera Mspace to offer the service during the 2001 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany from 28th April to 13th May 2001.
Following the success of the first Sonera/Worldzap trial with the German Bundesliga in October 2000, which demonstrated Worldzap's ability to instantaneously deliver video highlights to mobile devices at existing HSCSD speeds, the upcoming IIHF trial will further represent a more advanced Worldzap service.
'This trial will help us to understand the consumer much better,' said Brad Kwong, Worldzap CEO. 'Our first trial was technology driven and the outcome was extremely positive but this trial will allow us to capture the real essence of the Worldzap proposition, which is to deliver, to the passionate fan, customised video highlights of their favourite sport or team.'
The IIHF trial will utilise the Compaq iPAQ handheld Pocket PC. The device will receive data using either high-speed Nokia phones connected via infra-red or HSCSD phonecard sleeves which attach to the iPAQ to create a simulated single device at speeds of up to 25 Kbps. Users will receive an SMS notification when a key event occurs in the Finnish games and have the option to view the video clip which captures the moment.
'We are very pleased to be working with Worldzap again, especially since ice hockey is one of Finland's favourite sports,' said Jussi Koski, Development Manager of Sonera Mspace. 'We believe that we can learn a lot through this trial, how a near-live sports service, packaged with complimentary content, can appeal to fans.'
The tournament will enable Worldzap to develop a useful understanding of mobile users' behaviour and demand for specific applications and complementary content including up-to-date news stories, key statistics, video archive and customised interactive games.
'By providing an experience that includes the near-live video highlight in addition to all the supporting applications and content, we are offering the trial user a near replication of our ideal Worldzap service. In doing so, we hope to receive much more accurate feedback from the trial users with respect to usage, preferences and pricing,' said Mr Kwong.
Further information:
Elouise Campion or Hugo Brailsford
Liberty Communications
+44 (0) 20 8748 2248
elouise@libertycomms.com
hugo@libertycomms.com
www.worldzap.com
In a move to consolidate its position as the world's leading provider of sports video content to the next generation wireless market, Worldzap will team up with Sonera Mspace to offer the service during the 2001 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Germany from 28th April to 13th May 2001.
Following the success of the first Sonera/Worldzap trial with the German Bundesliga in October 2000, which demonstrated Worldzap's ability to instantaneously deliver video highlights to mobile devices at existing HSCSD speeds, the upcoming IIHF trial will further represent a more advanced Worldzap service.
'This trial will help us to understand the consumer much better,' said Brad Kwong, Worldzap CEO. 'Our first trial was technology driven and the outcome was extremely positive but this trial will allow us to capture the real essence of the Worldzap proposition, which is to deliver, to the passionate fan, customised video highlights of their favourite sport or team.'
The IIHF trial will utilise the Compaq iPAQ handheld Pocket PC. The device will receive data using either high-speed Nokia phones connected via infra-red or HSCSD phonecard sleeves which attach to the iPAQ to create a simulated single device at speeds of up to 25 Kbps. Users will receive an SMS notification when a key event occurs in the Finnish games and have the option to view the video clip which captures the moment.
'We are very pleased to be working with Worldzap again, especially since ice hockey is one of Finland's favourite sports,' said Jussi Koski, Development Manager of Sonera Mspace. 'We believe that we can learn a lot through this trial, how a near-live sports service, packaged with complimentary content, can appeal to fans.'
The tournament will enable Worldzap to develop a useful understanding of mobile users' behaviour and demand for specific applications and complementary content including up-to-date news stories, key statistics, video archive and customised interactive games.
'By providing an experience that includes the near-live video highlight in addition to all the supporting applications and content, we are offering the trial user a near replication of our ideal Worldzap service. In doing so, we hope to receive much more accurate feedback from the trial users with respect to usage, preferences and pricing,' said Mr Kwong.
Further information:
Elouise Campion or Hugo Brailsford
Liberty Communications
+44 (0) 20 8748 2248
elouise@libertycomms.com
hugo@libertycomms.com
www.worldzap.com