TV

South Korea is set to deliver broadcast television to mobile phone handsets, and cable company NTL is already considering the technology for the UK.

Third-generation mobile phone services already allow users to send and receive low resolution video. But the new technique allows dozens of digital TV channels to be broadcast to mobile handsets without the viewer having to pay per-minute charges.

The new system, called T-DMB, is based on the DAB technology used for digital radio in European countries. Researchers at ETRI, the Korean government's electronics research centre, have patented techniques for adapting it to carry television as well as radio. Unlike existing digital TV broadcasts, the T-DMB signals can be picked up using portable aerials and while moving at high speed.

Samsung Electronics have produced mobile prototype receivers (see picture), and are currently working on integrating the technology into a combined mobile phone, MP3 player and television.

The new system broadcasts independently of the mobile phone network, allowing viewers to bypass charges from their mobile operator, said Kim Kyuheon, Head of Video Processing at ETRI.

Samsung have already been asked to supply a combined phone and TV suitable for the UK market by cable television company NTL. Some bloke whose card I can't find, head of XYZ at Samsung, told maxuk.net that the greatest challenge remaining was integration of the aerial. The first phones with the new technology are expected to be available in Korea during 2005.

As well as allowing TV to be viewed on handsets, T-DMB is expected to improve reception in trains, cars and coaches. Engineers from ETRI demonstrated in-vehicle reception of test broadcasts in Seoul this week (pictures).

Other manufacturers working on receivers include Pixtree, the first to produce a truly mobile unit (pictures).

There has been debate in Korea over whether to use the American ATSC or the European DVB standard for digital TV broadcasting. It has been claimed that DVB can deliver mobile TV, although trials are at an early stage and there are licensing problems. ATSC does not allow mobile use but has superior HDTV capabilities. Since T-DMB is now proven, Korea will be going ahead with ATSC for broadcasting to stationary receivers.