LG Electronics has successfully developed mobile phones that will allow users to watch terrestrial TV programs and talk at the same time. To receive terrestrial DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcast), the handsets are equipped with SoC (System on Chip) LG Electronics has developed. Handset size and power consumption have also been reduced.

 

LG Electronics has dedicated approximately 20 billion Won (US$18.5 million; US$1=1082.4 Won) and an R&D team of 130 people for over two years in developing the handsets.

 

Currently, major television stations in Korea such as SBS and KBS are gearing up for DMB mobile services, which are slated for launch in the first half of 2005.

 

Meanwhile, the market for satellite-based DMB handsets is already becoming competitive. Korean vendors such as LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, and Pantech have already developed accompanying handsets. TU Media, a SK Telecom affiliate, is now waiting for approval of permission from authorities to launch mobile TV services via satellite. Samsung Electronics plans to roll out DMB handsets that receive both terrestrial and satellite signals in March 2005.