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

To: John Biddle who wrote (33033)	3/3/2003 7:14:26 AM
From: John Biddle	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 197253

Korea to allocate 3G access code 2003.03.04 koreaherald.co.kr The Korean government is planning to issue third-generation (3G) mobile access codes to three wireless carriers next month as part of a preliminary measure to streamline the nation's unwieldy mobile phone number system. Korea Communications Commission (KCC) - the country's telecom regulator under the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) - said yesterday that it will allocate the following mobile prefixes: "21" to LG Telecom, "20" to SK Telecom and "29" to KTF. Under the plan, LG Telecom's 3G service subscribers will be given numbers like "010-21XX-YYYY," while SK Telecom and KTF users will receive "010-20XX-YYYY" and "010-29XX-YYYY," respectively. As the prefixes have been finalized, KTF is now set to begin offering its access code starting with 010 to its W-CDMA 3G mobile phone users in April when the testing-level service is scheduled to be launched. KTF, the country's second largest mobile carrier, earlier said it would launch a formal W-CDMA 3G service in June. The company is already offering cdma2000 1x EV-DO, a full-fledged 3G service based on CDMA (code division multiple access) technology developed by the U.S.-based wireless solutions firm Qualcomm Inc. KCC officials said that LG Telecom was given first dibs for an access code as it is the sole cdma2000 3G service operator. LG Telecom originally lost out on a spectrum bid with SK Telecom and KTF, but the Korean government nudged the smallest carrier to pay for the remaining spectrum reserved for cdma2000 3G service. LG Telecom officials said the company opted for 010-21 mobile access code and prefix since the proximity of the two numbers on a telephone keypad is expected to offer more convenience for its 3G subscribers. The information ministry plans to allocate a total of 15 million numbers to what it calls "IMT-2000" service, which is synonymous with 3G services in other countries. But the details of the deal are still confusing to the average consumer. The Korean government sold off 3G-only spectrums to the three carriers while regarding 2G and 3G services as mutually exclusive. The trouble was that 2G technology evolved fast to accommodate cutting-edge solutions that eventually made it possible for carriers to offer 3G-like services on the existing 2G infrastructure after a series of upgrades. Currently, the Korean government's position is that existing cdma2000 1x services belongs to the 3G category defined by international telecom organizations, and that the new W-CDMA services is just another form of 3G. Back in January, the information ministry announced that it would streamline mobile phone access codes in a way that is likely to nullify the brand identify of wireless service providers. While KTF and LG Telecom did not express opposition over the new system, top mobile carrier SK Telecom fiercely argued that the government's move is bound to deal a severe blow to its brand image and value. SK Telecom's current access codes are 011 and 017, KTF operates 016 and 018, and LG Telecom uses 019. Existing 2G CDMA cellular phone subscribers will be allowed to change their access code into 010 if they want from next year, something that SK Telecom fears will undermine its brand value, particularly concerning its "Speed 011." In addition, number portability will be applied to SK Telecom subscribers from January next year. Once subscribers purchase new handsets, they can switch to KTF and LG Telecom while keeping their 011 phone number. (insight@koreaherald.co.kr)