The proposed FP5 RTD project will bridge the gap between the results achieved by other European funded RTD-projects and their commercial exploitation in FP6. Its target is to lay the foundation for an umbrella project in FP6 which is to provide solutions for the elements needs for the commercial exploitation of services "anywhere", combining UMTS and DVB-T (hybrid service concept coupling broadcast and broadband networks for services).

The umbrella project is intended to encompass all the key players involved in the exploitation of such a converged environment (see Figure below) which would enable access to mobile/portable broadcast and broadband services in collaborating networks.

Vision for the converged service and collaborating network operation (especially for the small area scenario, "hotspots")

The umbrella project should provide, inter alia, integrated APIs, billing architectures, management of and protocols for collaborating networks, terminal profile guidelines and terminal service conformance, low-power solution for all components of the hand-held/portable terminal, a low power transmitter fitting with the environmental constraints, acceptable overall system performance (incl. security) and service control protocols, inputs to frequency management, content formatting, consumer validation and field tests.

As some crucial technical issues need to be addressed before the FT6 umbrella project can be defined in terms of deliverables that will meet its objectives, the proposed FP5 RTD-project is required to identify the complete nature and content of the umbrella project and its core technical and service issues. It will establish whether a thematic project such as a Network of Excellence and/or a predetermined sequence of further FP6 RTD projects should be initiated.