Mobile handset manufacturers Nokia and Motorola said on Monday that they have inked a deal to cooperate on mobile television interoperability.

In a statement the firms said the aim of the deal is to achieve interoperability among the companies’ DVB-H enabled devices and network services.

The handset manufacturers will work together to support solutions based on open DVB-IPDC standards available for operator partners interested in deploying multi-vendor mobile TV services and trials in 2006 and onward.

According to Informa Telecoms and Media – parent of Telecoms.com – the mobile TV market is poised to grow exponentially – by 2010, there are anticipated to be over 50 million DVB-H enabled mobile devices sold globally. The companies said: “The deployment of mobile TV services will offer new business opportunities for companies across the value chain – including content and broadcast companies, mobile service providers, infrastructure and handset manufacturers and technology providers – and the availability of interoperable DVB-H enabled devices and services is a key factor in further opening up the market.”

“Operators around the world are evaluating broadcast mobile TV as a compelling new service to offer their subscribers – and interoperability will play a key role in bringing these services to market faster,” said Rob Bero, Director of Broadcast Technologies, at Motorola.

“Commercial mobile TV services are on the verge of launching in several markets across the world. In order for mobile TV to be a true success, we need interoperable mobile devices and systems which deliver the best experience for consumers and enable enjoyable, live broadcast TV when and where it suits them, redefining prime times and television program content. Nokia is happy to see that open DVB-H technology has and will have widespread support across the industry players, including Motorola and Nokia, in bringing mobile TV to market,” said Harri Mannisto, Director of Multimedia Experiences at Nokia.