Koreans and Germans to Co-operate on Mobile TV Services
September 26, 2007
The largest mobile operator in Korea, SK Telecom, said today that
it has reached a preliminary agreement with German telecoms giant
Deutsche Telekom which will see the pair jointly enter the mobile
broadcasting market in Europe and Asia. However, neither company
would say how much will be invested in the project nor would they
discuss the financial details.
A simple statement from the Korean operator said "SK Telecom
and T-Systems (a division of Deutsche Telekom) have agreed to jointly
enter the mobile TV market in Europe and Asia. SK Telecom and T-Systems
are planning to cooperate on a variety of mobile TV technologies."
In its home market SK has been a heavy backer of the digital media
broadcasting (DMB) standard, which allows users to enjoy sports
matches and other live TV programmes on mobile phones even while
on moving vehicles. DMB is based on the Digital Audio Broadcasting
standard, which has proved popular in the UK, but has been less
popular in the rest of Europe. With DAB networks covering 80% of
the European population, supporters of DMB point out that there
are over 800 DAB services available to 475 million people in 40
countries.
One of the most advanced trials in Europe took place in Germany
where the Bavarian Media Authority launched a pilot service in Regensburg.
DMB was also used for the coverage of FIFA World Cup 2006 via mobile
devices.
SK Telecom has been on the look-out for foreign investment opportunities
for some years concerned that expansion in its home market is becoming
more difficult.
|
