Press Releases

Harris Corporation, LG Electronics Accelerate Development of Mobile Digital TV, Declare MPH System Ready for Market Deployment

Broadcasters Predict Mobile DTV Will Generate an Additional $2 Billion Annually

LAS VEGAS, April 10, 2008 — Leveraging their respective leadership positions in broadcast equipment and consumer electronics, Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) and LG Electronics said today that their MPH™ in-band mobile digital television (DTV) system is both deployment-ready and uniquely suited to rapid marketplace adoption by the nation's broadcasters.

Harris, which accounts for an estimated two of every three DTV transmitters sold and installed in the United States, plans to showcase the multiple features and benefits of MPH™ at the annual National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention, which opens here this weekend. Early next year, global technology leader LG Electronics expects to introduce a full range of new-generation consumer devices — from handheld digital TVs and mobile phones to DTV-ready notebook computers and in-car DTV systems — capable of receiving and displaying MPH mobile DTV.

Developed by LG Electronics, its R&D subsidiary Zenith, and Harris, MPH™ provides robust over-the-air DTV signals to mobile, pedestrian and handheld devices. This innovative technology allows consumers to watch their favorite programs from local broadcasters, as well as local news, weather and traffic information, even when traveling in fast-moving vehicles or using handheld devices away from home.

For broadcasters, mobile DTV has the potential to create lucrative new revenue streams. A recent study commissioned by the NAB predicted that, assuming an industry standard is set by early 2009 and universally adopted, "broadcast television could reap an additional $2 billion in annual revenue by 2012." The Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), an ad hoc alliance of U.S. commercial and public broadcasters, is vigorously promoting the development of mobile DTV, and the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is pursuing an aggressive standardization process expected to yield a single, best-of-the-best terrestrial mobile/handheld DTV standard by early 2009.

"MPH in-band mobile DTV marks a rare opportunity for broadcasters to increase their viewership as well as their bottom-line," Harris Broadcast Communications President Tim Thorsteinson said. "This technology has proved itself time and again in grueling real-world field tests not only in major U.S. metropolitan areas, but also in media markets from Canada to Argentina. Harris, which led the way in building the new digital broadcast infrastructure, is uniquely qualified to help broadcasters weave mobile DTV into their existing transmission capability, and to do so swiftly and seamlessly."

LG Electronics President and CTO Dr. Woo Paik said, "MPH™ promises to create major market opportunities for consumer electronics as well. We envision a host of new, MPH-driven products such as DTV systems for moving vehicles and DTV-capable computers, not to mention the replacement market for the millions of analog handheld TVs that will go dark when U.S. broadcasters go all-digital next February. We at LG see MPH™ as a logical extension of our seminal contributions to the field of digital transmission technology."

MPH in-band mobile DTV technology, under development for nearly three years at the LG Electronics DTV Laboratory in Seoul, South Korea, and at LG's Zenith lab near Chicago, builds on two key ATSC standards, also developed by Zenith: the robust Enhanced VSB (E-VSB) system and 8-VSB (Vestigial Side Band), the proven modulation system at the heart of the ATSC DTV standard currently used by more than 1,500 U.S. DTV broadcasters and in every DTV receiver sold in the United States.

To help commercialize its technology concepts for the broadcast industry, LG Electronics turned to long-time industry leader Harris Corporation. Harris Corporation's extensive systems integration and research capabilities contributed significantly to the broadcast system's development.

About LG Electronics
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in mobile communications, consumer electronics and home appliances, employing more than 82,000 people working in over 110 operations, including 81 subsidiaries around the world. LG Electronics USA, based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is LG's North American subsidiary. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of consumer electronics (digital display and digital media) products, mobile phones and digital appliances under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. LG's U.S. R&D subsidiary, Zenith, based in Lincolnshire, Ill., is a long-time leader in consumer electronics technologies and a pioneer in digital HDTV. Zenith merged with LG Electronics in 1999. For additional information, please visit www.LGusa.com.

About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of almost $5 billion and 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

# # #

Contact Information:

David Glidden
Vice President, Marketing Operations
Harris Broadcast Communications
david.glidden@harris.com
513-459-3639

John Taylor
LG Electronics USA
jtaylor@lge.com
847-941-8181



Sales Contacts
  • North America +1 800 231 9673
  • Caribbean and Latin America +1 786 437 1960
  • Europe, Middle East & Africa +44 (0)118 964 8200
  • Asia, Pacific Rim +852 2776 0628