SK Telecom, Harman, Sinclair automotive MoU
January 10, 2019
By Colin Mann
Korean mobile telco SK Telecom and Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the largest TV broadcasting companies in the US, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with connected products and solutions specialist Harman at CES 2019 in Las Vegas jointly to develop and commercialise digital broadcasting network-based automotive electronics technology for global markets. The move follows the signing of a joint venture agreement between SK Telecom and Sinclair to lead the next-generation broadcasting solutions market in the US and globally.
Under the MoU, the companies will collaborate to build an advanced automotive platform based on ATSC 3.0, the next-generation broadcasting technology standard, to enable drivers to experience in-vehicle HD terrestrial TV broadcasting, secure firmware updates, HD map updates and V2X certificate management via terrestrial digital broadcasting facilities operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group throughout the United States. The technology will also be deployed in other geographies as local broadcast facilities become available.
The three companies will work together to provide market leading technology and grow market share in US market. The companies also plan to seek joint business opportunities in the global automotive market.
The companies intend to unveil their automotive platform and related equipment and services for the first time at the NAB Show in Las Vegas in April 2019.
“Mobility and media are core business areas that will undergo innovative changes in the 5G era,” commented Park Jung-ho, President and CEO of SK Telecom. “With Harman and Sinclair Broadcast Group, SK Telecom will target the mobility and media markets in the US and expand into the global market.”
“Today’s pervasively-connected cars are becoming just one more personalised mobile device that consume data to deliver a maximum safety and reliability and an optimised user experience,” added Dinesh Paliwal, President and CEO of Harman. “ATSC 3.0 will bring a high-value option for bulk data communication, which can supplement conventional 4G and 5G mobile data networks, We are pleased to work with two industry powerhouses in partnership to bring this powerful technology to the market.”
“With this announcement, Sinclair is continuing to partner with market leaders to further develop next-gen broadcasting solutions,” said Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group. “We are excited to be working with Harman and SK Telecom, two prominent international technology leaders, to progress ATSC 3.0 automotive solutions and experience. This collaboration focuses on developing key mobility enhancements of ATSC 3.0 as a potential value creator for Sinclair and other US broadcasters.”