SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) and Sinclair Broadcast Group (Nasdaq: SBGI) today announced that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Harman at the ‘2019 CES’ in Las Vegas to jointly develop and commercialize digital broadcasting network-based automotive electronics technology for  global markets.

Under the MOU, the companies will collaborate to build an advanced automotive platform based on ATSC 3.0, the next-generation broadcasting technology standard, to enable drivers to experience in-vehicle HD terrestrial TV broadcasting, secure firmware updates, HD map updates and V2X certificate management via terrestrial digital broadcasting facilities operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group throughout the United States. The technology will also be deployed in other geographies as local broadcast facilities become available.

The three companies will work together to provide market leading technology and grow market share in U.S. Market. The companies also plan to seek joint business opportunities in the global automotive market.

The companies intend to unveil their automotive platform and related equipment and services for the first time at the ‘2019 National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB Show),’ the world’s largest broadcasting equipment exhibition hosted in Las Vegas in April 2019.

“Mobility and media are core business areas that will undergo innovative changes in the 5G era,” said Park Jung-ho, President and CEO of SK Telecom. “With Harman and Sinclair Broadcast Group, SK Telecom will target the mobility and media markets in the U.S. and expand into the global market.”

“Today’s pervasively connected cars are becoming just one more personalized mobile device that consume data to deliver a maximum safety and reliability and an optimized user experience,” said Dinesh Paliwal, President and CEO of Harman. “ATSC 3.0 will bring a high-value option for bulk data communication, which can supplement conventional 4G and 5G mobile data networks, We are pleased to work with two industry powerhouses in partnership to bring this powerful technology to the market.”

“With this announcement, Sinclair is continuing to partner with market leaders to further develop next-gen broadcasting solutions,” said Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group. “We are excited to be working with Harman and SK Telecom, two prominent international technology leaders, to progress ATSC 3.0 automotive solutions and experience.  This collaboration focuses on developing key mobility enhancements of ATSC 3.0 as a potential value creator for Sinclair and other U.S. broadcasters.”