The BBC has beaten commercial rivals to a five-year contract to provide audiovisual 3G phone content for mobile phone outfit Hutchison, writes David Wood.

The multimillion pound deal marks BBC commercial subsidiary

The BBC has beaten commercial rivals to a five-year contract to provide audiovisual 3G phone content for mobile phone outfit Hutchison, writes David Wood.

The multimillion pound deal marks BBC commercial subsidiary BBC Technology's first step into wireless production and is its largest contract with an external customer. Most of BBC Technology's work since it began trading last March has been for the corporation.

BBC Technology will manage the production of news and entertainment content in a format suitable for delivery to next-generation 3G wireless devices, which are expected to bring video content to mobile phones.

BBC Technology plans to develop its existing Stadium House offices in west London into a 3G centre which will house an expanding team of 3G content specialists. If Hutchison launches its service on schedule in the summer or early autumn this year, the centre could house up to 50 staff. See produxion.com.