Despite the problems faced by many 3G operators around the world, KTF is optimistic on the future of 3G. The South Korean 3G mobile operator has attracted around 50,000 subscribers to its CDMA2000 1X EV-DO services since the service launched in May. The service offers allows multimedia messaging, videoconferencing, music download and other data services.
The EV-DO network is theoretically capable of delivering data speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps, but the high-speed transfer rate is not yet reachable. This is because of the inability of mobile handsets and several technical glitches.
A spokesman for KTF Lee Byung-moo said, "Our EV-DO service is faster and richer than current 2.5-generation services, mainly known as 1X network, and compares favorably with Japan's NTT DoCoMo's 384 kilobits per second."
The operator hopes to have around 250,000 customers to its EV-DO service by the end of the year.
Only two 3G handsets were available when the service was launched but KTF plans to release the SPH V-3000 handset, manufactured by Samsung, in mid-November. The handset can display 260,000 colours and supports wireless video streaming technology.
Can someone explain to me how this is different from the massive difficulties with WCDMA that are poked fun of every day on this thread?
I've owned QCOM since Jan '97, and I still believe in it, but these difficulties they're having with EVDO bother the heck out of me.
Ben, I've read your innumerable posts on the standards issues, and I thank you for all that work. You've made a strong case for how the political nature of 3GPP has ruined it, and keeps if from having even a chance of fixing the deep seated problems of WCDMA.
Now tell me why Q seems to have the same trouble with EVDO that DoCoMo has with WCDMA. If they've done things right, haven't bastardized the standard in the name of royalty avoidance, then why do we only have 50,000 subscribers in 5 months?
I too enjoy taking a poke at the Europeans and DoCoMo, they deserve it. For a hundred reasons. But why aren't the good-guys able to do any better? |
