ID :
18806
Wed, 09/10/2008 - 15:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/18806
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea mulls allowing voice calls over WiBro
SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering allowing companies to provide voice call services based on WiBro, a once-touted homegrown mobile Internet technology, to prompt further investment and competition in the telecom sector, a government report said Wednesday.
WiBro, one of the major third-generation (3G) wireless Internet standards, is an improved version of WiMAX, which enables broadband-like Web connectivity even when a user is in motion. WiMAX refers to a wireless Internet technology developed by Intel Corp.
Despite having been recognized as a leading 3G communications standard, WiBro has
fallen into obscurity here since its commercial launch two years ago, due mainly
to limited coverage, unreliable connectivity and lack of "killer
applications."
The Korea Communications Commission, the nation's telecom regulator, said in a
report to the National Assembly that it is considering granting phone numbers to
currently-used WiBro IDs to carry voice calls.
The report, however, did not specifically elaborate on how the phone numbers, to
run on WiBro for calls to other fixed-and-wireless devices, would be put into
use.
Several cable television operators, which also provide broadband connection
services, are currently seeking to use the WiBro technology to expand their range
of services, according to industry sources.
LG Telecom Ltd., the nation's smallest wireless carrier, is also eyeing use of
the mobile broadband technology due to its lack of sufficient frequency
bandwidths compared to larger rivals, they added.
The country's near-saturated handset carrier industry, divided between SK Telecom
Co., KTF Co. and LG Telecom, expect a large shakeup if the government approves of
the measure, as it could lead to further cutthroat competition down the road,
industry watchers say.
The three companies already have their own separate 3G mobile services released
on the market.
South Korea had 45.13 million mobile service users out of a population of 49
million as of the end of last month, according to latest market reports.
WiBro, one of the major third-generation (3G) wireless Internet standards, is an improved version of WiMAX, which enables broadband-like Web connectivity even when a user is in motion. WiMAX refers to a wireless Internet technology developed by Intel Corp.
Despite having been recognized as a leading 3G communications standard, WiBro has
fallen into obscurity here since its commercial launch two years ago, due mainly
to limited coverage, unreliable connectivity and lack of "killer
applications."
The Korea Communications Commission, the nation's telecom regulator, said in a
report to the National Assembly that it is considering granting phone numbers to
currently-used WiBro IDs to carry voice calls.
The report, however, did not specifically elaborate on how the phone numbers, to
run on WiBro for calls to other fixed-and-wireless devices, would be put into
use.
Several cable television operators, which also provide broadband connection
services, are currently seeking to use the WiBro technology to expand their range
of services, according to industry sources.
LG Telecom Ltd., the nation's smallest wireless carrier, is also eyeing use of
the mobile broadband technology due to its lack of sufficient frequency
bandwidths compared to larger rivals, they added.
The country's near-saturated handset carrier industry, divided between SK Telecom
Co., KTF Co. and LG Telecom, expect a large shakeup if the government approves of
the measure, as it could lead to further cutthroat competition down the road,
industry watchers say.
The three companies already have their own separate 3G mobile services released
on the market.
South Korea had 45.13 million mobile service users out of a population of 49
million as of the end of last month, according to latest market reports.
