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Verizon Wireless today said it is working with Qualcomm to broadcast live television to subscribers using a network being built under the direction of Qualcomm's MediaFlo.

Verizon Wireless, the second-leading wireless provider in the United States, said it will introduce the TV service in 2006 to subscribers in more than half its high-speed markets.

The New York-based company already serves subscribers short clips of on-demand video; however, this is its first attempt at brining TV to the little screen.

John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said the deal will allow MediaFlo USA's network to provide real-time multimedia services to wireless customers, including its V Cast broadband multimedia service.

Verizon said it plans to offer the TV service to subscribers through MediaFlo-enabled EV-DO handsets.

As the price of voice phone calls continues to drop amid increased competition and alternate technologies such as VoIP, wireless providers are looking toward video and music to grow revenue.

Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless and Warner Music Group announced an agreement to offer music-video downloads through the wireless carrier's network.

Now, Verizon Wireless is expected to be the first U.S. provider to offer the MediaFlo service when it is commercially available.

"Using the MediaFLO technology and network, Verizon Wireless will be able to offer its customers a real-time TV-like experience on their wireless phones unlike anything available on the market today," Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm CEO, said in a statement.

Following the initial launch, Qualcomm and MediaFlo will continue to expand the MediaFlo network throughout other markets that cover Verizon Wireless's V Cast and Broadband Access service areas, according to Jacobs.