The country on Thursday launched the global era of terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting.

Five land-based DMB operators held a ceremony at KBS headquarters to officially launch the service, with Information and Communication Minister Chin Dae-je, government and political leaders and broadcast representatives attending.

President Roh Moo-hyun also sent a video congratulatory message on the service, calling it a brilliant achievement demonstrating the nation's IT prowess to the world and a new growth engine.

DMB broadcasts high-quality video, audio and data to handheld devices free of charge.