Wavve Develops 'Tmap Auto' OTT Service... Also Lays Groundwork for Overseas Expansion

MOU for Future Mobility Application with T map Mobility

From the left, Lee Taehyun, CEO of Content Wave, and Lee Jongho, CEO of T map Mobility, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing the "OTT Service Business Partnership MOU for Future Mobility" at the T map Mobility headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 25th. Photo by Wave

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Wavve is partnering with T map Mobility to develop a dedicated online video service (OTT) that allows users to enjoy video content on vehicles equipped with 'T map Auto' without the need for separate external device connections.

Wavve announced on the 28th that it has signed a 'MOU for OTT Application for Future Mobility' with T map Mobility. This follows a previous agreement signed with Hyundai Motor Group in September, marking another collaboration with T map Mobility.

Wavve is a premium content platform established in 2019 through joint investment by SK Telecom and the three major terrestrial broadcasters. It offers a wide range of content including terrestrial broadcasts, originals, exclusive overseas series, and short-form content, with a total subscriber base reaching 12 million.

Through this MOU, the two companies plan to develop and supply a 'vehicle OTT' service for vehicles equipped with the embedded navigation service T map Auto. Currently, T map Auto is installed in multiple brands including Renault, Volvo, and Polestar.

The companies will also collaborate on developing a 'global integrated infotainment (IVI)' service combining T map Auto and Wavve OTT. This is a strategic move in preparation for Wavve's overseas expansion, establishing a foundation that allows users to enjoy K-content anytime in T map Auto vehicles when entering foreign markets.

Dedicated Wavve OTT services will also be developed and supplied for autonomous vehicles and urban air mobility (UAM), which are major topics in the domestic and international mobility markets.

Lee Tae-hyun, CEO of Wavve, said, "Cars are transforming from simple means of transportation into new 'living room theaters' where media content can be conveniently viewed anywhere," adding, "This MOU will serve as a driving force to pioneer new markets by combining Wavve's rich K-content with the vast data accumulated by T map Mobility over more than 20 years."

Lee Jong-ho, CEO of T map Mobility, emphasized, "This collaboration with Wavve will serve as a hub for T map Auto to expand beyond Korea to the world," and added, "It is expected to provide more advanced services to partners such as Renault, Volvo, and Polestar, and to act as a growth momentum that proactively responds to the future mobility market, including autonomous driving and UAM."