BBC intros Live TV to mobile phones

The BBC has launched a live television service for mobile phones – but has warned users they need a television licence to use it.

The new Live TV service is currently in beta, and only appears to work with a small selection of handsets, including the Nokia N96 and 5800, (We have tested and it does not work with the iPhone although the index and program selections do.)

Pictures are broadcast at a mobile-friendly resolution of 176 x 144 pixels, although the service doesn’t work over 3G – users must be connected to a Wi-Fi network.

The BBC is also warning that users will need to pay £142.50 for a TV licence to use the service, if they don’t already have one.

"It is a criminal offence to watch ‘live’ television without a TV licence or to possess or control a device which you know or reasonably believe will be used to watch ‘live’ TV without a TV licence," the BBC’s FAQ states.

The new streaming service arrives as part of a wider revamp of the BBC Mobile site. The new customisable homepage works on high-end mobiles, including the iPhone, Android handsets and Nokia N-Series devices.

via PcPro