The BBC has confirmed that it plans to trial carriage of TV and radio stations on the 3G phone networks operated by Orange, Vodafone and 3.

Subscribers to TV packages offered by the three mobile operators will be able to view BBC One, BBC Three and BBC News 24 and listen to Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music, BBC7 and Asian Network. The trial will start "within the month" and will last for twelve months.

"By making a range of television channels and radio networks available to 3G mobile phone subscribers, we hope to test not only the effectiveness of 3G as a means of distribution, but also how audiences respond to the BBC's linear services on their mobiles," said Ashley Highfield, the BBC's director of future media and technology. "The findings, combined with quantitative and qualitative consumer research, will inform the BBC's future mobile strategy."

The BBC has also unveiled a new version of its website optimised for mobile devices that are capable of displaying XHTML pages.

"The BBC constantly aims to make its content available to as many people in as many ways as possible," said Richard Halton, controller of business strategy at the BBC. "The mobile platform is a great opportunity for us to reach existing users in a new way and connect better with people who are not currently big users of the BBC.

"The BBC believes that mobile content is an important part of the broadcasting landscape and is looking at ways in which mobile devices will shape services of the future for licence fee payers.

"To this end, the BBC will be undertaking extensive and unique research into consumer behaviour and experience throughout the 3G mobile syndication trial. To date we have done relatively little consumer research in this area, and it will provide us with a detailed insight into consumer behaviour."

From digitalspy.co.uk