SKT Achieves World's First Terrestrial Broadcasting Transmission Using 5G MEC

KBS Collaborates with US Castedera
MEC and Cloud-Based Terrestrial Broadcasting Transmission

SK Telecom announced on the 29th that it has successfully demonstrated terrestrial broadcasting transmission using 5G MEC technology for the first time in the world in collaboration with KBS and Castella. The photo shows representatives from the three companies demonstrating terrestrial broadcasting transmission through an MEC-based virtualization platform.

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] SK Telecom announced on the 29th that it has succeeded in the world's first terrestrial broadcasting transmission using 5G Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and virtualization technology in collaboration with Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and CastdottEra, a joint venture between SK Telecom and Sinclair Media Tech.

Last September, the three companies signed a "Mutual Agreement for Next-Generation Broadcasting Transmission Services" and completed the first demonstration last month at the KBS headquarters. The demonstration involved virtualization of the terrestrial broadcasting transmission system using MEC technology and converting broadcast video into high quality with an AI upscaler applying the AI semiconductor "Sapeon."

The CastdottEra AI upscaler uses the AI semiconductor Sapeon "X220" to support high-quality broadcast video by performing high-performance, low-power computation to upgrade broadcast video resolution from FHD (Full HD) to UHD (Ultra HD) in real time.

Then, on the 26th, actual broadcasting was transmitted on the KBS 1TV UHD dedicated channel (9-3) in the metropolitan area, successfully demonstrating terrestrial broadcasting transmission using an MEC-based virtualization platform.

A demonstration of ATSC 3.0 (the US UHD broadcasting standard) terrestrial mobile broadcasting transmission based on a virtualization platform was also conducted with Hyundai Mobis in the metropolitan area, verifying services that provide commercial-level ultra-low latency, high-definition mobile broadcast reception, and vehicle location-based customized advertising.

Riding in a moving vehicle, watching real-time terrestrial broadcasts transmitted based on ATSC 3.0 technology.

SK Telecom developed a media edge platform to provide media services as one of the 5G MEC industry-specific services and virtualized the broadcasting station transmission system to improve operational efficiency. The three companies plan to continue cooperating not only in the domestic market but also in global market expansion.

Donggi Lee, head of SK Telecom’s Cloud/MEC Tech division, stated, “We will continue to provide competitive services in various fields using SK Telecom’s core digital infrastructure technologies such as MEC and cloud.”