They may be the best known of the US carriers, but AT&T have been fairly slow to market with some of the earlier technologies used by their competitors, but not now. AT&T have announced the launch of their mobile TV service which is set to hit the wireless airwaves this Sunday – in a blaze of glory if all of the hype is to be believed!

Using specially manufactured handset, customers will be able to catch a whole array of their favourite programs on their phones, on the move. AT&T have teamed up with Media FLO USA to launch the service which will include input from partners such as CBS Mobile, ESPN Mobile, CNN Mobile Live and the Comedy Central to name but a few.

Initially it will cost $15 a month for 10 channels although the price of the handsets, at between $199 and $299, may well restrict the initial take-up in the market place. It should be safe to assume that once the takeup picks up, and AT&T find other more subtle income streams connected with the service, the handset price should fall quite dramatically.

While Mobile TV is not a new concept and has been brought to the market in other areas around the world, it is the fact that this is live TV which seems to set it out from the rest. The chance to catch the latest news or your favourite program while on the move will catch the eye of many mobile phone users.

AT&T seem to be making up for some of the problems they have had in the past and the often pedestrian pace which they have embraced some of the more risky forms of technology. Are we entering a new era for AT&T? Are we entering a new era for live TV on your mobile?

It looks like we could have the answers very soon……