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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: brian h who wrote (6196)	1/15/2001 5:45:56 PM
From: brian h	Respond to of 196772

IMT-2000 Operators Face Bumpy Road Ahead By Kim Deok-hyun Staff Reporter While local telecommunication companies are gearing up to introduce third- generation (3G) networks that could bring more revolutionary changes to mobile communication next year, consumers are likely to spend more time fully enjoying them. Wireless mobile telephone operators have promised seamless wireless Internet access and high-speed data transmission via mobile handsets for several years. Departing from the ongoing controversy on the primacy of technology standard, the three that were granted 3G or IMT-2000 carriers _ though one operator is not decided yet _ are set to launch 3G telecommunication network services, which will allow high-speed data and image transmission via mobile handsets. Industry executives believe that the launch of 3G service will be a big jump forward for mobile operators, opening a new and lucrative chapter in mobile telecommunication service. Is it possible to watch a soccer game and enjoy the latest movie while walking down the street, starting from next May? Despite the industry's long-awaited wish, they will face several challenges ahead of full commercialization. One of the major challenges is the technological problem. Most analysts and experts have predicted that 3G services will break the data transmission system due to the insufficient infrastructure and lack of operator experience with the unknown technology. Particularly, they said the hardest thing is motion picture transmission technology on wireless networks. According to experts, motion picture transmission technology _ which is a core improvement of 3G service _ should require a certain application designed for streaming media applications, including news clips, sports highlights, movie trailers and video e-mail. In order to deliver a large amount of data, such as moving pictures and real-time video clips, packet-switching capabilities are first needed, they said. However, the current data transmission _ for instance via cellular phones, personal communication services (PCS) and IS-95C or 2.5G services _ is based on a voice-based line-switching system. Consequently, all 3G operators should upgrade their air interface technology and add packet-switching capabilities by the end of this year. Theoretically, that is impossible, they said. To deliver broadband services like Internet access and e-mail over the airwaves, changing forever the methods by which we communicate, 3G operators should build packet-based networks using a spectrum they never used before. In addition, a recent test result on wireless networks by a local research agency revealed another problem. The test found that wireless transmitted data periodically lost an average of 25 percent in comparison with wired data, and it means the uncertainty of data transmission. Combined with technological problems such as net congestion and lousy access, equipment problems, such as small screens and digit-only keypads, have deterred consumers, they pointed out. Another rising problem is the high cost of wireless connectivity compared with the low cost of wired Internet access. 3G services are coming soon to mobile handsets, but the applicable wireless platform and contents have to be resolved, they added. kdh@koreatimes.co.kr