Tests will start in the fall on a new mobile digital TV standard, according to Broadcasting and Cable in Wednesday. The goal is to create a new standard that will enable stations to broadcast video and data to mobile phones and other portable devices.

The technology is being formulated by the Open Mobile Video Coalition, a group of more than 800 TV stations pushing for the standard. The coalition is working with the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC). The ATSC is the group that devised the HDTV broadcast standard.

"Expanding our support for the ATSC’s important work is a reaffirmation of broadcasters’ deep and unwavering commitment to fielding outstanding mobile-digital-television services to consumers," said Brandon Burgess, OMVC president. "We will work together swiftly and steadily to accelerate industry adoption of the ATSC M/H Standard and realize this untapped opportunity nationwide."

Stations in Dallas and Chicago have volunteered to host trials, but a decision on the location for trials hasn’t been made and consumer trials wouldn’t start until 2009, according to OMVC executive director Anne Schelle.

Current products on the market suggest that, at least with respect to size, an ATSC tuner would be able to fit into a device roughly the size of an Apple iPhone.