AT&T exec: mobile video not ready for prime time

Why isn’t video on mobile phones taking off? The economics don’t work yet, says Mark Collins, vice president of consumer data services for AT&T (T).

Collins sat down with Fortune at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association show in San Francisco on Monday, and said that every major U.S. carrier, including Verizon Wireless (VZ), Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (DT), is looking at video as a potential driver of data traffic and revenue. But so far, Collins says, no one has figured out how to deliver the video that consumers want at a price they’re willing to pay – while still managing to compensate Hollywood studios and carriers for their part.

“Everything that we’re doing on mobile is sort of the opposite of what customers are doing with their own consumption habits,” Collins says. “Bigger screens, higher resolution, on-demand, long-form content – I can’t really do any of that right now.”

Collins also discussed a number of other topics, including the carrier’s relationship with Apple (AAPL) and trends in the wireless business.

To hear more of the interview, click below for the audio.

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Filed under Analysis, Audio, Mobile Computing, News, Phones, Video

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Mobile video may not be ready for prime time yet, but if any company has the creativity and experience to make this work it is AT&T http://www.newsvisual.com/newsvisual/2007/10/corporate-exper.html . Just look at the deals they have worked out in the last year: the BellSouth purchase, the service agreement with Apple for the iPhone, and most recently an agreement with Napster. AT&T has proven time and again that they have competent management who can think outside the box.

Posted By Ted, Seattle WA : October 23, 2007 3:35 pm

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A senior writer for Fortune, Jon Fortt focuses on technology and innovation in Silicon Valley - a subject he's been reporting on since his days as a rookie reporter for the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader. Before joining Fortune in 2007, Jon had reporting and editing stints at Business 2.0 magazine, and the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News, Silicon Valley's hometown newspaper.