Korea envisions 'ubiquitous' telecom network in five years
Korea's top telecom executives and policymakers mapped out a vision called "u-Korea" in a bid to solidify the nation's lead in both broadband and mobile industries and the development of future technologies that will ensure seamless access to the high-powered network.
"U-Korea," or ubiquitous Korea, refers to a future telecom network that will be pervasive enough to offer uninterrupted access to the Internet, fixed-line and mobile networks - anytime, anywhere.
Chief executives of major telecom operators and researchers said the vision detailed by "u-Korea" project could be realized by the end of 2007 if the necessary steps are taken now.
The new vision was unveiled at the first Telecom CEO Forum held at the Lotte Hotel on Jeju Island Dec. 6-7.
Lee Sung-guk, a high-ranking official of state-run ETRI (Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute), said that the global telecom industry is fast embracing the concept that all the telecom networks be based on IP (Internet protocol).
The IT revolution is reconfiguring all existing network platforms, with the Internet playing a central role, said Lee. As people exchange information without any constraint over the ubiquitous network, Korea should come up with a "u-platform" so that users can best utilize various services and applications, he said.
The Ministry of Information and Communication said it will consider and reflect upon the discussions and suggestions put forward at the forum in its five-year telecom policy plan to be finalized in late January of next year.
"U-Korea" is not far removed from what some Korea telecom operators are already offering to their customers. Reliable mobile phone services, widespread broadband access and the fledgling wireless LAN (local area network) are accelerating the convergence of different communications platforms.
More and more Koreans are logging on to the network through a wide range of devices such as mobile handsets, PDA (personal digital assistant), smart phones and other high-tech gadgets.
Korea currently has more than 32 million mobile phone users, with three carriers offering a variety of voice and multimedia services through the so-called third-generation (3G) service, also known as cdma2000 1x EV-DO.
The number of high-speed Internet subscribers recently surpassed the 10 million mark, achieving the highest broadband penetration rates in the world. Top broadband carrier KT Corp. and No. 2 player Hanaro Telecom Inc. are now upgrading the network from ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) to VDSL (very high bit rate DSL).
While mainstream ADSL Internet access allows users to surf the Web at a speed of 2-8Mbps, VDSL increases the average transmission speed to 13-52Mbps.
The fast-growing user base in the mobile and broadband markets in Korea is noteworthy both at home and abroad, top officials of major telecom operators said at the CEO Forum.
They stressed, however, that both markets are also showing signs of saturation, and the government should be careful not to encumber the market with rigid regulations.
(insight@koreaherald.co.kr)
By Yang Sung-jin Staff reporter
2002.12.09
koreaherald.co.kr |
