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To: Spaw who wrote (22879)	2/12/1999 8:18:00 AM
From: Ruffian	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 152472

CDMA-China_Korea> CDMA Systems Pick Up Momentum ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1999/02/02(Tue) 17:14 Korea's code division multiple access (CDMA) technology for mobile phones is expected to gain popularity in world markets in the wake of the recent signing of a contract by Samsung Electronics to supply CDMA systems and handsets to Hutchison Telecom Australia Ltd (HTAL). Samsung signed a $210 million contract on Dec. 12 in Hong Kong to supply four CDMA switching systems and 497 base stations to HTAL, which is scheduled to provide cellular services in Sydney and Melbourne from April 2000. Samsung won the contract in an international bidding, beating out world-class telecom equipment manufacturers Lucent Technologies, Motorola Inc. and Northern Telecom. Yun Jong-yong, president of Samsung Electronics, said, ''Samsung has laid the groundwork for carrying out full turnkey CDMA projects outside Korea.'' The Korean government said it is making all-out efforts to boost exports of CDMA technology or systems as core exports, having successfully commercialized them in Korea. Businessman-turned-Information and Communication Minister Namgoong Suek Monday proposed the creation of an international non-government organization centered around wireless communications service providers to improve CDMA service quality and disseminate CDMA technology worldwide. Minister Namgoong's suggestion to form this body is thought to reflect his conviction that Korean companies need to regularly contact CDMA service providers around the world in an effort to improve CDMA technology and expand the markets for its sale. The body would be different from the CDMA Development Group (CDG), which focuses on technology and handles manufacturers' issues. The number of countries adopting the CDMA standard is continuing to grow and the number of CDMA subscribers could surpass that of GSM subscribers within five years, Namgoong said, citing insufficient efforts to expand the CDMA market despite CDMA's superior technology. A private research body, Datacomm Research, forecast in February last year that world CDMA cellular subscribers will reach 37 million by the end of this year and 165 million in 2003, exceeding the projected 164 million European mode GSM cellular subscribers. This year, 17 countries will adopt the CDMA standard in cellular service, doubling the total to 34 countries. GSM (global system for mobile communications) is the standard widely used in Europe. The GSM MoU Association currently has around 320 member companies, mainly network operators, in more than 120 countries. A ministry official said that the government will initiate the formation of the international cooperative body among service providers and equipment manufacturers from 34 countries. Barry Robert-Thomson, chief executive officer and managing director of HTAL, welcomed the proposal in a press conference at Hotel Shilla Monday prior to a reception Samsung hosted to celebrate the partnership between the two parties. ''Roaming is the great problem in CDMA. We will fully endose and support the proposal to tackle this issue. It's encouraging news,'' he said. 'CDMA standard is excellent and its subscribers will grow as handset prices have been competitive. CDMA subscribers will grow along with GSM subscribers as the two major world standards,'' he added. Kang Moon-suk, director of the ministry, said that Minister Namgoong will visit Beijing as soon as possible to discuss with his Chinese counterpart early introduction of CDMA techonology and adoption of the mode as China's national mobile phone service standard. China, with a population of 1.3 billion, is the largest potential market for CDMA technology. The ministry will soon set up a council on the promotion of CDMA technology composed of manufacturers, researchers and public servants, which will seek to undertake joint R&D activities with China on CDMA systems and core chips, technology transfers and joint ventures. To this end, the government plans to invite Chinese mobile phone policymakers and experts to participate in inspections and training courses here. Bae Byung-kwan, executive vice president and general manager of Samsung Electronics in charge of telecommunications, said, ''We will focus on China and the United States for system exports. Tangible results are expected this year. We will also increase exports of handsets to Australia and the United States.''