The Global Digital Terrestrial Transmission Workshop was held July 19-21 in Busan, Korea. It featured expert speakers from Korea, India, Brazil, Japan, U.S., Canada, Europe, China and the greater APAC region.

Participants of the Global Digital Terrestrial Transmission Workshop held July 19-21 in Busan, Korea.

Participants of the Global Digital Terrestrial Transmission Workshop held July 19-21, 2023 in Busan, Korea.

The workshop featured two and a half days of presentations on a wide range of issues related to the next generation of broadcasting. While most of the sessions focused on the power and use of ATSC 3.0, there were also sessions related to other standards and how various countries are approaching adoption of NEXTGEN TV systems. A memorandum of understanding was signed between KBS and the Korean Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU). This important broadcaster collaboration with academia is similar to how we at NAB are collaborating with Howard University as well as Canada’s commitment to exploring the power of NEXTGEN TV via their efforts at Humber College.

I was delighted to represent NAB at this meeting where I was invited to speak on two issues:

  1. The transition to ATSC 3.0 in the United States
  2. The Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) using ATSC 3.0

There were several other speakers from the United States as well, including:

  • Rob Folliard – Gray Television and Pearl
  • Madeleine Noland – ATSC
  • Kathleah Obrero and Louis Libin – Sinclair Broadcast Group/One Media
  • Mark Corl – Triveni
  • Patrick Diamond – U.S. Space Based PNT Advisory Board Member

Following the educational sessions on Friday, attendees enjoyed local culture by visiting the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, a local beach and a fishing village on the outskirts of Busan.

We flew into and out of Seoul and while there Rob and I hiked the Namsan trails up to the North Seoul Tower on cloudy, drizzly day. And before catching our flight home we visited the Gyeongbokgong Palace.

Kudos to all the host organizations, and ETRI’s Dr. Sung-Ik Park in particular, for a tremendous gathering of digital leaders and thought provoking presentations from around the world.

The Global DTT Workshop spanned two and a half days and featured speakers from around the world.

The Global DTT Workshop spanned two and a half days and featured speakers from around the world.

Jeong-Ik Lee, senior vice president and principal researcher at Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, welcomes attendees and participants.

Jeong-Ik Lee, senior vice president and principal researcher at Korea’s Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, welcomes attendees and participants.

Rob Follliard of Gray Television and Pearl discusses the rollout of ATSC 3.0 in the United States and importance of local news and live sports programming.

Dr. Patrick Diamond discusses the importance of timing to critical infrastructure and how BPS using ATSC 3.0 can play a vital role in national security.

Dr. Patrick Diamond discusses the importance of timing to critical infrastructure and how BPS using ATSC 3.0 can play a vital role in national security.

Representatives from Korea’s largest public service broadcaster, KBS, and Korean Maritime and Ocean University showcase their signed memorandum of understanding.

Representatives from Korea’s largest public service broadcaster, KBS, and Korean Maritime and Ocean University showcase their signed memorandum of understanding.

Seungho Lee of MBC talks about enhanced GPS (eGPS) and how they are using real-time kinematic (RTK) data to improve the accuracy of GPS. 

Seungho Lee of MBC talks about enhanced GPS (eGPS) and how they are using real-time kinematic (RTK) data to improve the accuracy of GPS.

The conference hotel was just across the street from Haeundae Beach in Busan, Korea. 

The conference hotel was just across the street from Haeundae Beach in Busan, Korea.

Busan is home to numerous marinas and fishing boats like this one just down from Haeundae Beach.   

Busan is home to numerous marinas and fishing boats like this one just down from Haeundae Beach.

Conference attendees spent the second half of day three visiting the beautiful Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and other sites.

The author in one of many courtyards of the Gyeonbokgong Palace.

The author in one of many courtyards of the Gyeonbokgong Palace.

Rob Folliard and the author hiked many stairs – 126 floors worth according to our fitness trackers – to count to the top of the Namsan trail and were rewarded with an up close view of the North Seoul Tower. 

Rob Folliard and the author hiked many stairs – 126 floors worth according to our fitness trackers – to the top of the Namsan trail and were rewarded with an up close view of the North Seoul Tower.