re: More Korea IMT-2000 3G Musings
"3G mobile phone services will allow for the rapid transmission of video, enabling wireless video conferencing and other applications."
Chae Jong-seok, a director of the 3G development at ETRI says:
``We believe that further testing is needed in order to guarantee an even higher level of system stability,''
Sok Ho-ik, director general of the Telecommunication Support Bureau, ... holds the key to approving 3G business, and thinks likewise but...:
"Sok... also said the first 3G look-alike service would be launched by KTF, the second largest mobile phone operator, next May."
I think the "3G look-alike service" referred to is 1xEV (see post that follows this one.
The combatants ...
"SK Telecom and Korea Telecom are now preparing to provide 3G service from May, 2002, based on asynchronous-mode technology ... the government hopes to introduce 3G service based on Qualcomm's synchronous-mode, or cdma2000, technology, but with such a move there would still remain the stumbling block of having to find a successful carrier."
>> Speculation Rife Over Delaying IMT-2000 Commercial Service
Kim Deok-hyun
Korea Times
2001/05/22
Telecommunication companies questioned the government's intention to delay the launch of third-generation (3G) mobile phone service to beyond the original deadline of May next year.
The move sparked speculation that the government is likely to guarantee some favors for the soon-to-be-awarded synchronous-mode, or cdma2000, 3G operator by amending the forerunners' schedule of asynchronous-mode service.
In a policy meeting in Taejon last Saturday, Chae Jong-seok, a director of the 3G development division at the state-run Electronic and Telecommunication Research Institute, said it seems impossible to kick off commercial 3G service next May because the companies and the government must conduct more tests on the network and equipment needed.
``We believe that further testing is needed in order to guarantee an even higher level of system stability,'' he said at the meeting.
On the same day, Sok Ho-ik, director general of the Telecommunication Support Bureau, said the testing period is needed to ensure reliable operation, to assess system performance, and to receive customer feedback.
Sok, who holds the key to approving 3G business, also said the first 3G look-alike service would be launched by KTF, the second largest mobile phone operator, next May.
The government had earlier announced that the launch would take place next May, in line with the start of the FIFA 2002 WorldCup, being co-hosted by Japan and Korea.
Telecom companies have interpreted the government's latest move in different manners, saying that it is nothing more than a stopgap measure to promote the latecomer's viability in the 3G telecommunications market.
``The move is seen as an intervention for political purposes,'' said an official at the state-run Korea Telecom 3G consortium on condition of anonymity.
SK Telecom and Korea Telecom are now preparing to provide 3G service from May, 2002, based on asynchronous-mode technology, the popular technology for such services across Europe and Japan.
The government hopes to introduce 3G service based on Qualcomm's synchronous-mode, or cdma2000, technology, but with such a move there would still remain the stumbling block of having to find a successful carrier.
Shim Hak-dong, an analyst at Hyundai Securities, said in a report that a single network operator is likely to spend around six trillion won in setting up full commercial 3G services.
``The government's original plan for 1.2 trillion won is just based on infrastructure deployment, excluding development costs for wireless Internet content and additional equipment.
``Given the huge amount of investment cost, commercial 3G services will be delayed longer than expected,'' he said.
3G mobile phone services will allow for the rapid transmission of video, enabling wireless video conferencing and other applications. <<
- Eric - |
