By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
In a move to accelerate its entry into the mobile digital television, LG Electronics has developed a Mobile Pedestrian Handheld (MPH) system for over-the-air broadcasts in North America.
The upgraded technology system, which is the result of an investment of 7 billion won and two years of research, complements ``over-the-air'' functions from the less advanced Vestigial Side Band (VSB) way, LG said on Tuesday.
The MPH system, which provides a high-quality viewing image even in a moving vehicle at speeds of 90 kilometers per hour, has been evaluated as a more prospective technology because it does not need additional frequencies thanks to the same technology basis applied to the existing VSB way.
MPH also enables users to view their favorite broadcast TV programs including movies and sports and access local news and even weather information. For Digital TV broadcasters, this way has the potential to create lucrative new revenue streams.
``We will showcase the system to some 100 telecom and broadcasting officials on Jan. 7 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas,'' said Paik Woo-hyun, LG Electronics' chief technology officer.
According to industry estimates, the mobile TV market in North America will reach $4.1 billion bin 2010 from $200 million in 2006 as the U.S. government transitions to digital television.