(Korean) Mobile Internet revenue set to surpass W2 tril.
Korea's three mobile carriers are expected to bring in more than 2 trillion won from their fledgling wireless Internet services in 2003, reflecting the continued demand for multimedia data over the mobile networks.
In 2002, SK Telecom, KTF and LG Telecom are estimated to have posted 1 trillion won, 450 billion won and 210 billion won in revenue from wireless Internet services, respectively.
The portion of wireless Internet revenues in total was also significant in 2002: SK Telecom (11.5 percent), KTF (10.5 percent) and LG Telecom (12 percent).
SK Telecom, the country's largest mobile carrier, and its rival KTF, are now actively promoting cdma2000 1x EV-DO service, which is focused on the delivery of multimedia content over a faster mobile network.
SK Telecom anticipates wireless Internet revenue will surpass 1.5 trillion this year. And the combined wireless Internet revenue of three wireless carriers is expected to climb to more than 2 trillion won, industry sources said.
As of end of 2001, the portion of wireless Internet revenue was less than 5 percent for major carriers. The impressive surge in demand is attributed to the wider use of mobile phones, various content and faster network speed.
Mobile games and karaoke services over the CDMA networks are also fueling the drive for wireless Internet services. Multimedia cards and messaging, music album, adult content and other entertainment-related data are drawing keen interest from mobile phone subscribers.
Interestingly, mobile phone users turned out to show little interest in paid content of education, news and stock content over the mobile network.
(insight@koreaherald.co.kr)
2003.01.10
koreaherald.co.kr |
