Korea Set to Launch 3G on W-CDMA
Korea is set to launch the controversial W-CDMA mobile service in December, despite growing concerns about overlapping investment and the poor chance of commercial success. SK Telecom Co., the country’s largest mobile carrier, and KTF Co., ranked second, said they would push ahead with W-CDMA services, as planned.
SK Telecom and KTF have secured the licenses for W-CDMA services, but they are now reluctant to invest heavily in the new technology. The main reason is that today’s cdma2000 1x technology adopted by Korean carriers is already offering full multimedia mobile services. W-CDMA, in other words, is unlikely to provide any innovative additional features to local customers, analysts and experts said.
Despite all the skepticism, the Information Ministry maintains its policy in favor of a dual mobile system. The ministry’s overall plan was to set up cdma2000 1x and W-CDMA services so that handset manufacturers like Samsung Electronics have some advantages in exporting their products to overseas markets. Continue >>