Continuing the pervasive theme at NAB2007 of ‘anytime content,’ the second annual MoTV: Mobile Video and TV Forum on April 17 looks to bring together key industry players and spark some interesting discussion about the technologies needed and the opportunities out there to make content mobile, interactive – and lucrative.

Following the usual welcome and introduction, the full-day conference kicks off with a panel discussion called Opportunities and Obstacles, featuring speakers from Qualcomm, Nokia, Hiwire, Snell & Wilcox (developer of digital signal processing products), and Robert Zitter, senior VP, technology operations at HBO. The focus will be on what models make the most business sense given the nascent state of the mobile video industry and what kind of content subscribers will tune in to watch.

‘HBO believes that mobile and portable video are great long-term opportunities for video programmers,’ says Zitter. ‘People have discretionary time when they’re outside the home, and video programmers will be able to develop the products and services that can meet their interests.’

HBO currently provides mobile service in the U.S. via Cingular, and in more than 10 additional countries through other wireless operators.

Other notable sessions during the day include keynotes from Nokia, following a state of the union from Paul Jacobs, CEO of wireless telecommunications research and development company Qualcomm MediaFLO.

There’s another panel on streaming for dollars entitled Selecting Viable Business Models, and three case studies involving technology component providers Envivio, Snell & Wilcox and technology law firm Fenwick & West.

Given the buzz and hype recently over video content across cell phones, are we beyond the point of no return? Bell Mobility director Andy Wright is more than bullish on its future.

‘The three things that you always carry with you are your keys, your wallet and your phone,’ says Wright. ‘We believe that [our] phones are going to be staples in people’s lives. So it’s meaningful to deliver all sorts of entertainment to that – be it video, music, messaging and community-type applications. That’s the goal that mobility is taking. There’s a real demand from our customers for these types of services.’

By 2010, 90% of the world will be accessible by cell phone. According to industry forecasts, the year after that there will be half a billion customers who subscribe to video services. In the U.S., every other kid under 15 has a mobile device, while Europe, Asia and the Middle East are leaders in mobile user penetration and sophisticated networks and services.

The landscape in Canada is much the same, where telcos such as Bell have been streaming a range of content across a high-speed network for the past year – from NHL video clips to Sesame Street, and, more recently, Hollywood movies.

But what will we be watching a year from now – given super-fast networks and evolving handset interactivity – when will we be watching it, and how can the viewing experience be monetized?