SK Telecom to unveil modem for IMT-2000 services in January
¡ãAn employee of SK Telecom displays gadgets for the IMT-2000 telecom service at a
demonstration
The development of the core modem necessary for W-CDMA (wideband code division
multiple access) mode services will be completed by Jan. 22 next year, an official of SK
Telecom said yesterday.
At a demonstration of core technology for IMT-2000, the third generation telecom
service, in Pundang, Kyonggi Province, the SK Telecom official said the nation's
largest mobile telecom carrier has developed about 90 percent of the technology
needed to launch the anticipated IMT-2000 service.
SK Telecom, now bidding for one of three available IMT-2000 service licenses, has
worked with 70 venture and small and medium-sized firms to develop core IMT-2000
technology over the past year. IMT-2000 service is expected to be commercialized as
early as 2002.
"Development for the core modem to be installed in handsets and base stations is yet
to be completed," said Cho Min-rae, a SK official. "Firms including Seudu InChip are
presently immersed in the development of the modem and we expect to have a locally
produced modem for W-CDMA IMT-2000 service by January," Cho said.
The demonstration also provided an opportunity to gauge the level of Korea's W-CDMA
technology.
Among the technologies displayed to reporters and industry insiders were image
compressors, optical antennas, modems, Internet service applications, and cell
planning systems, as well as core technologies that support dual band (800MHz/2GHz)
and dual-mode (cellular/W-CDMA) systems.
One of the most popular items on display were handsets with Bluetooth technology, well
suited to the new multimedia environment.
Using Bluetooth technology, people can buy a three-in-one phone incorporating cellular
phone, pager and personal digital assistant, which also doubles as a portable phone at
home or in the office. In this way they can benefit from rapid synchronization of
information in a desktop or notebook computer, send and receive faxes, and in general,
coordinate mobile and fixed computer devices. Bluetooth phones also feature a global
positioning system (GPS).
The display also allowed for the demonstration of various services IMT-2000 will make
possible, including GPS, 3-D viewing of cultural assets, on-line games, remote medical
treatment, and M-commerce.
"We were surprised at the technological prowess and potential of local ventures as we
worked with them for the past year," said Cho Jung-nam, president of SK Telecom.
"These firms brighten the prospects of localization of IMT-2000 systems as well as
those of exporting to overseas markets," Cho said.
Last year alone, SK Telecom, working with the 70 firms, applied for 94 patents and
plans to apply for 110 more in the near future.
SK Telecom invested a total of 123.3 billion in the venture and small and medium-sized
firms this year to develop IMT-2000 related technologies. The company plans to invest
another 100 billion won next year.
By Kim Min-hee Staff reporter
2000.11.30
koreaherald.co.kr |
