SK Telecom world’s first in sending 3-D broadcast through LTE network

SK Telecom said Monday that it transmitted 3-D broadcasting content through its Long Term Evolution networks for the first time in the world.

In an opening ceremony of the 3-D Media Lab in Sangamdong, Seoul, SK Telecom successfully field-tested the 3-D broadcasting transmission.

This marks the first time where media and telecommunications technologies of 3-D broadcasting equipment and LTE networks have been integrated, SK Telecom noted.

As 3-D visuals take up a lot more data space than conventional content for transmission, it was impossible to broadcast 3-D via 3G networks.

The emergence of LTE, however, made it possible to transmit high-resolution 3-D content using compression technologies in multimedia processing.

SK Telecom and SBS Artech, part of terrestrial broadcaster SBS, formed a consortium in November last year to work on the 3-D Media Lab project aimed at developing and promoting 3-D broadcasting and telecommunications technologies.

The 3-D Media Lab project has been spearheaded by Korea Electronics Association and 3-D Fusion Industry Association, which are all part of Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy.

SK Telecom added that its role in the project was to develop a platform for LTE solutions allowing real-time transmission and broadcasting of 3-D content.

The 3-D Media Lab will provide technology services in 3-D cinematography, editing and recording, with plans to offer education programs to foster professionals in 3-D technology.

“SK Telecom’s LTE 2.0 operations made it possible for two technologies to integrate,” said a SK Telecom official.

SK Telecom’s LTE 2.0 refers to offering services on multicarrier and LTE Advanced, the next generation of LTE, with faster speed and accessibility.

The company aims to make LTE Advanced commercially viable next year.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)