|
LG Electronics revealed Monday that is has set a new technological benchmark by producing the world's first terrestrial digital-media-broadcasting (DMB) cell phone that allows consumers to watch programs and use normal dialing functions simultaneously.
The breakthrough was made possible by the company's self-developed System-on-Chip, a semiconductor that has a range of integrated functions in one microchip. The company held a preview of the new phone in Yeouido, Seoul.
Digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) is a mobile broadcasting service that allows people to watch broadcasts on both their cell phones and specially developed receivers. DMB is divided between terrestrial and satellite services, with the former operating through transmitting stations on Namsan and Gwanaksan mountains.
Terrestrial broadcasters like KBS and SBS are preparing to provide the terrestrial DMB service in the first half of next year at the earliest.
With LG Electronics' recently revealed terrestrial DMB cell phone, users can now make phone calls while they watch broadcasts. The company explained that it was the first time that a terrestrial DMB phone had been developed with normal cell phone functions. LG Electronics has committed W20 billion and 130 researchers to developing the terrestrial DMB cell phone over the past two years.
In the wake of LG Electronics' breakthrough, other handset makers such as Samsung and Pantech are expected to step up their manufacturing work to produce competing products that offer consumers the same degree of convenience.
Samsung, LG and Pantech have all developed satellite DMB phones and are waiting for the airborne service to launch. The satellite DMB service was originally scheduled to kick off in September after TU Media, a venture involving Korea's biggest mobile phone operator, SK Telecom, launched a satellite in the first half of the year. But the Korean Broadcasting Commission put the brakes on a launch until after next year in consideration of KBS, which is preparing for the terrestrial DMB service.
Samsung Electronic is also developing a dual mode DMB phone, which enables people to receive terrestrial and satellite DMB services on the same handset. LG Electronics CEO Baek Woo-hyun said Monday that the company would develop satellite DMB receptor chips, which are currently imported from overseas, within this year and produce its own dual mode DMB phones by the end of 2005.
(Kim Ki-hong, darma90@chosun.com )
|
