Mobile TV Now Available

Trial service for DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) was launched on Monday. DMB enables viewers to enjoy broadcasts of high-definition and high-quality sound while in locomotion.

TU Media Corp., a satellite DMB operator, announced Sunday that nine out of its 35 channels would undergo a test run starting Monday at midnight. Three video channels dealing with news, music, and TV dramas, and six audio channels on latest the Korean music and pop songs will be aired.

TU Media said that all channels will air 24 hours a day, and that it will receive news programs from YTN and music videos and concert broadcastings from M-net for the trial.

Old TV dramas from MBC and SBS will be featured on the drama channel, and the six audio channels will run without a DJ.

During the trial period, TU Media will use the programs of existing broadcasting companies, but when the service begins in full scale starting in May, it will provide various content suitable for mobile terminals. In the regular program, 14 video channels and 22 audio channels will be operated.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics announced that it would begin the sales of a mobile phone compatible with DMB service. Through this phone, users can watch programs provided by the satellite DMB service. The price is expected to be around 850,000 won.

Various terminals will be launched soon, as a terminal for installation in cars will be developed within this month, and venture companies like Digifriends have already finished manufacturing terminals for satellite DMB at prices ranging between 300,000 and 400,000 won.

During the test run period, the satellite DMB service is available to anybody who has the terminal. After the full-scale broadcasting service is launched in May, a fee of about 13,000 won per month will be charged.

Prior to the trail, TU Media installed 4,800 gap fillers in the Seoul metropolitan area and five other big cities. Gap fillers are repeater systems that enable better reception of satellite DMB in the areas with poor reception conditions such as underground areas and tunnels by re-transmitting signals.

Sang Hoon Kim sanhkim@donga.com