Some interesting comments from IJ.....
koreaherald.co.kr
Tapping cell phones feasible
SAN DIEGO - Contrary to statements made by the Korean government, Qualcomm (Nasdaq: QCOM) Chairman and CEO Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs said that tapping a CDMA mobile phone is possible, offering yet another twist to the brewing debate over whether intercepting cellular phone calls is technically possible.
"It's very difficult but not impossible," said Dr. Jacobs in an interview with The Korea Herald. "But it's not like you can buy something at Radio Shack and start listening in."
Jacobs said that whatever defensive measures are taken, there could be some offensive measures that can terrorize the system. Jacobs said that mobile carriers in the U.S. put additional layers of encryption to block wiretapping, but he does not know what Korean carriers are doing to safeguard the privacy of their users at this point.
"Governments, if they are really determined and want to put enough money in it, could break into any system," Jacobs said. He further said that the security of CDMA mobile technology could be - at least technically - compromised in the face of a systematic and large-scale effort.
The wiretapping of mobile phones is a highly sensitive issue in Korea, where a large number of politicians and business leaders routinely carry several handsets to avoid leaking confidential information to third parties.
The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) and
Korea's major mobile carriers have repeatedly stressed that it's technically impossible to intercept mobile phone calls due to the ultra-secure nature of digital encryption and the nature of CDMA (code division multiple access) networks and technology.
Qualcomm's founder, however, who introduced, developed and holds the licenses for CDMA wireless technology, has a different perspective. Although Jacobs did not specifically identify Korea's CDMA technology, he did say that that cell phone wiretapping is technically "not impossible," and governments and mobile carriers should strengthen their security by installing additional encryption tools.
Korea has more than 32 million mobile phone users with three carriers - SK Telecom, KTF and LG Telecom - which offer third-generation (3G) voice and data services based on Qualcomm's CDMA mobile technology.
Jacobs said that another critical security issue is the proliferation of locating, or positioning services vis-a-vis mobile phones, known as GPS, or global positioning systems. He said that Qualcomm is taking steps to encourage people to have more confidence in Qualcomm's secure technology, by letting users know that the phone's technology prevents a cellular phone network's GPS system from knowing where they are.
While cellular phones sold in the United States have been required to adopt a GPS system for emergency purposes after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Korea has yet to legalize the mandatory installation of GSP systems, partly because of a raging dispute over privacy issues.
Jacobs also said that the Korean government should allow individual mobile carriers to make their own choices in adopting new solutions and platforms.
Qualcomm is keen on having major carriers adopt its wireless application platform known as "BREW," but only KTF has decided to embrace it so far. SK Telecom and LG Telecom are developing their own platforms, something that appears to embarrass Qualcomm.
"BREW is a very good solution, and it's a technology integrated into the chip. It offers a more efficient code, and operates better on phones. And manufacturers can save money by putting a user interface that can be downloaded instead of being preloaded," Jacobs said.
Some carriers, however, have decided to develop their own downloading, security and payment systems as seen with U.S.-based Sprint, which also follows that path, he said.
"The Korean government has also been involved (in the adoption of BREW)," Jacobs said, labeling the situation as "a government-mandated end-to-end system.
"That's not a role for the government to play," he said.
Meanwhile, Jacobs, renowned for his in-depth knowledge of mobile technology and his pioneering work in the development of telecommunications technology, said Qualcomm will continue to support Korea's expansion into North Korea's wireless market.
"Qualcomm started cooperation with South Korean companies to support their request for export to North Korea, but everything came to a halt due to the increased tension on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
With regards as to whether current U.S. law prohibits foreign recipients of U.S. technology, for example, South Korea as a licensee of CDMA technology, to transfer such technology to a third party, such as North Korea, Jacobs said that at present, there's no U.S. law prohibiting it.
"In fact, there has been no ruling," he said, adding that the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Commerce are involved in authorizing and permitting the transfer of sensitive technologies by U.S. firms to foreign countries on an individual basis.
If a Korean firm were to file an application requesting such a transfer of technology, Qualcomm said that their firm would support the move although there has been no prohibition by the U.S. government against such, so far, he said.
Jacobs also downplayed the possibility that North Korea might be able to decode CDMA technology for military purposes. "I'm very skeptical," he said.
As for the dual mobile standard system, Jacobs said Korean handset manufacturers are poised to benefit from the implementation of both cdma2000 1x EV-DO (evolution data-optimized) and W-CDMA 3G services.
KTF and SK Telecom are scheduled to launch W-CDMA 3G services in June and September this year, respectively, amid lingering worries about overlapping technologies and competition. Korea is already offering 3G service based on cdma2000 1x EV-DO but the Korean government has decided to adopt both standards to maximize exports.
"EV-DO is a more powerful technology, and W-CDMA doesn't come close. Korea wants to provide knowledge and experience for operators and particularly manufacturers so that they can use that to build a good export business. But there's no economic reason to do that," Jacobs said.
He also noted that Korean handset makers should not be distracted by GSM (global system for mobile communication), a wireless standard that dominates the second-generation markets of Europe and competes with Qualcomm's CDMA .
"GSM has been disappointing in terms of growth. Samsung and LG have built a viable business (in connection with GSM handsets), but it's not a growing market," he said.
"A recent development features a multimode chip for phones that will run both CDMA and GSM compatible services. It's a good opportunity for Korean manufactures. But if you take your eye off the fast-developing technology which is CDMA and focus on the old technology, you'll lose your place fairly quickly," Jacobs warned.
"GSM has depended heavily on China for its growth and is continuing to grow there. Now we're beginning to see CDMA and cdma2000 1x in China, where the real growth will be in CDMA. With regards to India, Samsung and LG are very active in realizing untapped growth there. Markets in Latin America and Indonesia, for example, have remained relatively untapped," he said.
(insight@koreahearald.co.kr)
By Yang Sung-jin Korea Herald correspondent |
