According to the latest report released by ROA Group, the number of Satellite Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (S-DMB) subscribers has reached 440,000 since the service launch in May 2005, as of February 2006, while the number of Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (T-DMB) subscribers has reached 110,000 since the service launch in December 2005.

T-DMB service is offered at no charge, allowing users with DMB device to freely watch TV programs on their handsets. Based on the current number of DMB subscribers, the DMB market in Korea will grow to the amount of 136.9 billion KRW in 2006, says David Kim, chief consultant at ROA Group.

Since the commercial launch of Satellite DMB and Terrestrial DMB, a wide array of DMB devices has been released. The DMB device manufacturers are focusing on developing devices with more than two functions such as Terrestrial DMB, Satellite DMB, WiBro and HSDPA. The major manufacturers include LG, Pantech and Samsung but there are also many smaller manufacturers offering diversified devices, such as USB and PMP-type DMB devices.

The report, titled DMB Market in Korea – Service, Device and the Future, forecasts the development of Korean DMB market by covering the market environment, related issues, the development status, the outlook, and devices of Korean DMB service. In addition, the report aims to set a direction for the better environment in mobile TV service by showing the development status and outlook of the Korean DMB service to market players such as overseas communications providers, broadcasters, device vendors, contents providers, etc.

3 mobile, Australia’s first 3G network, today announced MSN Messenger is available to their customers. With 4.1 million users, MSN Messenger is Australia’s most used free instant messaging service. The alliance with the country’s largest and most advanced 3G network will, according to 3 mobile’s General Manager of Content and Services, Scott Taylor, drive further change in the way people use their mobile phones.

“With the launch of MSN Messenger, the opportunity for 3 mobile customers to choose how and when they communicate with each other is now greater than ever before,” he said. From today 3 customers will be able to see MSN Messenger contacts and exchange messages when their friends are on their PCs or on the move with 3 mobile.

“From customer feedback we know that the ability to have instant conversations with your friends, wherever you are is very compelling and we expect to see even more frequent interaction between mobile-to-mobile and PC-to-mobile customers,“ said Mr Taylor. Download MSN Messenger from Planet 3 today and enjoy unlimited for just $5 for 30 days. MSN Messenger is launching on the following 3 mobile handsets: Sony Ericsson k608i, and z800, as well as the LG 8138, 8180, 8330, 8360, 8380, u880, u890 and Motorola v3X.

Instant Stats on Instant Messaging

- Mobile Instant Messenger is continually voted in industry based consumer surveys as the most
desirable mobile phone application.

- 30% of Australian male MSN Messenger customers use it to arrange dates and 32% to make new
mates.

- 94% of Australian women prefer to use MSN Messenger for a chat.

- 95% of 12-17 year olds use MSN Messenger at least twice a week.

LG Electronics announced the launch of the LG-U900, the world’s first commercially available UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone, at a ceremony in Rome, Italy. The LG-U900 will be available early May through Hutchison, a leading global telecommunications services provider, in time for the 2006 World Cup.

Hutchison Italy, the country’s largest 3G telecommunications provider, has exclusive DVB-H broadcasting rights for the 2006 World Cup. The company will provide video footage of all World Cup matches beginning June 6, through the Hutchison’s service channels, �La3’.

Hutchison plans to offer the LG UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone to customers world-wide, after initially establishi ng a base in Italy.

Mr. Mun-Hwa Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, said: “We are so proud that LG is supplying the world’s first commercially available UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H phone through Hutchison Italy. LG has already proven its unrivalled mobile multimedia technology in 3G markets by introducing a seri es of first-of-their-kind models including SDMB and TDMB handsets. LG will continue to introduce advanced te chnology that is second-to-none in the mobile TV industry.”

Mr. Vincenzo Novari, the CEO of Hutchison Italia said at the ceremony, “With support from LG Electronics, our company will strengthen its leadership in the 3G mobile communication market.”

LG’s new LG-U900 DVB-H handset features a 2.2-inch �wide-swing’ screen for mobile TV viewing. Its premium digital broadcasting functions include ESG (Electronics Service Guide) and CAS (Conditional Access System).

These functions shall support enhanced business models for mobile and broadcasting operators. Users can watch TV for up to three hours because of the phone’s long battery life. The LG-U900 is also equipped with a 1.3 mega-pixel & VGA digital camera, an internal memory capacity of 58MB.

The UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H technology evolved from DVB-T, European terrestrial digital broadcast technology, becoming the European mobile broadcast standard. It provides high-speed data transmission, a variety of channels, a high-resolution screen and strong mobile broadcasting.

LG produces handsets using all available mobile broadcast technologies including DVB-H, DMB and MediaFLO. I n January 2006, LG became the first company to develop and introduce 3G UMTS (WCDMA) DVB-H, CDMA MediaFLO an d DMB phones. LG introduced the world’s first 3G UMTS (WCDMA) TDMB phone, the LG-V9000, in September 2005.

According to Strategy Analytics, a predominant worldwide handset market analysis company, mobile TV phones w ill reach 8 million units globally by the end of 2006 and the mobile TV market is expected to grow to 120 million subscribers by 2010.