LG Electronics and Samsung today said they will jointly develop technology that they envision as the standard for mobile digital TV in North America.

It's the first time LG and Samsung have teamed on a project.

In a joint statement, the two companies said "(We) will propose a jointly developed technology as the North American technology standard for mobile DTV."

The companies said their technology will be unvelied to the Advanced Television Systems Committee - better known as ATSC - by the end of this year. ATSC is the group establishing digital TV broadcasting standards internationally, and it's expected to adopt the DTV standard for mobile devices for North America early next year.

"Our collaboration on North American mobile DTV standardization will help accelerate the ATSC standardization of mobile TV technology, which will benefit both consumers and broadcasters," said Park Jong-woo, president of the digital media business for Samsung, in a statement.

Said LG President and CTO Paik Woo: "'LG and Samsung are already world-class in digital TV and mobile communications. Through this collaboration, we also have an opportunity to lead the North American mobile DTV market."

The National Association of Broadcasters has said the U.S. market for DTV mobile phones could hit 130 million units within four years.