Cover Story / FIFA World Cup 2006 Korea planning high-profile demos of DMB at the World Cup With the kick-off for the 2006 World Cup fast approaching, the government has embarked on multi-faceted efforts to expedite DMB (digital multimedia broadcasting) technology exports. The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) is planning to work for the expansion of DMB operations in Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain, and other countries by taking maximum advantage of the 2006 World Cup Germany. And, at the same time, it plans to provide various means of assistance so that DMB markets can grow in Asia with China as the stepping-stone. Accordingly, mobile phone operators and equipment makers have stepped up efforts to make next year the first year of DMB exports. On May 14, MIC stated that it has been preparing a large-scale DMB promotion campaign so that participants to the World Cup can be provided with not only DMB devices but also World Cuprelated contents including transportation and travel information. For this purpose, the ministry said it has purchased 1,000 units of USB-type DMB receivers and delivered them to the broadcasting committee (BLM) of Bayern, Germany. In the meantime, Rho Jun-hyong, Minister of Information and Communication, plans to participate in a gathering of foreign reporters in Germany on June 7 for a demonstration of DMB service jointly organized by Korea and Germany. In Asia, too, and particularly China, expectations for additional supply of DMB equipment run high as the regional service providers of the terrestrial DMB in Beijing, Guangdong, and Shanghai have plans to expand channels by the end of this year.