"The European Commission has given Nokia's chosen TV format the thumbs-up for a mass roll-out.

"Digital Video Broadcasting Mobile (or DVB-H to its friends) is just one of a number of methods for broadcasting live television pictures to a mobile phone, portable media player or other handheld device, but it now seems a dead cert to become the standard across Europe.

"Not that this means a lot to the average mobile phone user - at least not yet. There are virtually no devices able to receive a DVB-H signal around, although the forthcoming Nokia N96 (due on sale August) will come with a built-in tuner, plus the ability to record digital telly straight onto its 16GB flash memory. iRiver's B20 portable media player will also reportedly be getting access to DVB-H as early as September.

"But will there be anything to watch? None of the major broadcasters have revealed much about their plans for mobile TV, so we'll just have to keep our fingers (and toes) tightly crossed."