Asia Express - Mobile Communications
Samsung, LG Suspend Development of Integrated DMB Phones
September 02, 2005
Although the development of the phones integrating both satellite and terrestrial DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) functionality by Samsung and LG has stepped into the last stage, the launch date remains uncertain. According to Samsung, the development of the base chip that supports both T-DMB (Terrestrial DMB) and S-DMB (Satellite DMB) has stagnated due to delays in the development of T-DMB phones. LG said that chip development has passed the testing phase, but mass production will continue to be postponed. As a result, the launch of integrated DMB phones in 2005 has become unlikely, and rollout in the first half of 2006 will remains unknown. Besides the continuous postponement in the launch of the T-DMB service, the negative attitude of TU Media, the only S-DMB player in Korea, toward the integrated DMB phones has also contributed to the suspension of development.