4G Now

USB Modem Makes up 89% of WiBro Access

Since the commercial launch in June last year, KT WiBro attracted over 100,000 subscribers and the majority of them use USB modem to get access to the service, according to the Korean telecom operator. 

KT announced the research result that 89% of WiBro subscribers are using notebook computers with USB modem, 10% PDA and smartphone and 1% ultra mobile PC.

The company attributes the predominance of USB modem to the convergence capability of modem supporting terrestrial DMB, HSDPA, MP3 player and portable storage unit as well as WiBro connectivity. The 3Mbps speed and monthly linear rates (10,000 and 19,800 won) also explain the preference for WiBro access through USB modem, KT added.

Meanwhile, KT plans to integrate WiBro with various personal digital devices such as MP3 players, navigations, digital cameras and PMP.

Intel Capital Invests $8 Million in Korea's Mobile WiMax Start-up

Intel Capital, the investment branch of Intel announced its plan to put $8 million into Innowireless, a Korean manufacturer of wireless test and measuring equipment. Intel and the Korean start-up will cooperate in WiMAX and make joint efforts for the promotion of WiMAX.

The investment will contribute to creation of Intel's new WiMAX ecosystem as well as expedite the expansion of Innowireless' overall business. Innowireless developed WiMAX terminal measuring equipment in 2006 and is currently providing wireless carriers, system and device vendors with equipment for network optimization and device measurement.

The two companies will join forces in solution development based on their competence to improve WiMAX platform, according to Intel. By acting as a bridge between Innowireless and ecosystem partners such as service providers and system-device vendors, Intel will help the Korean start-up market its solution in the global arena, added the chip maker.

SK Telecom Unwillingly Expands WiBro Service

Despite the sluggishness of WiBro service which has attracted less than 1,000 subscribers so far, SK Telecom reluctantly expands the business under pressure from the government. The company established an exclusive team for WiBro to widen the service coverage and run a promotion campaign. 

The new team under the marketing division will draw up the mid-long term WiBro business plan, find new business models and do the groundwork for WiBro marketing.

The carrier will also increase the number of Hot Zone from 56 in 23 cities including Seoul and the metropolitan district to over 100 in 42 cities by 2008. In addition to the two types of WiBro phones on the market (SCH-H110, SCH-H120), the company will launch SCH-S130 at the end of November.

SK Telecom will embark on a full-fledged investment in WiBro with the launch of Wave 2 that doubles the transmission speed and capacity.

WRC-07 Allocates WiBro 2.3GHz Band for 4G

Recently becoming the international 3G standard, WiBro gains ground again in the 4G market, as its 2.3㎓ frequency band is allocated for common 4G spectrum.

The World Radiocommunication Conference 2007 (WRC-07) held in Geneva, Switzerland selected 2.3㎓(2.3~2.4㎓, 100㎒) as a common spectrum band for the use of 4G service, announced the Ministry of Information and Communication of Korea. Accordingly, WiBro achieved the status of the international standard and the world common frequency band at one time. 

According to ITU, 4G mobile communications, mostly multimedia data services, will require the minimum speed of 100Mbps on the move and 1Gbps for the standing device. The total bandwidth is likely to grow five times from current 330㎒ for 3G communications to 1,280~1,720㎒ by 2020.

Korea's information ministry expects the decision of WRC-07 after the ITU's approval of WiBro as the international 3G standard will enable WiBro service users to roam around the world, and thereby promote WiBro technology in the global market and boost the export of WiBro equipment.

Samsung Releases New WiBro Handsets

Samsung Electronics launches 4 types of WiBro handsets including one smartphone, one mobile personal computer and two USB modems through KT.

WiBro Smartphone 2 (SPH-M8200) is a PDA phone supporting both WiBro and cdma2000 1X EV-DO and enabled with a wide range of services ranging from wireless broadband to voice and video communications. The 16.6mm-slim bar features vibration touch, terrestrial DMB, Bluetooth connectivity and file viewer. It is also capable of frame editing, back-ground music arrangement useful for UCC producing.

Running on Windows XP, Deluxe MITs 2'(SPH-P9200) functions just like a desktop PC. It is enabled with WiBro, WiFi, HSDPA, voice and video communications. The portable triple folder is equipped with a touch mouse and users can enjoy gaming and video contents even without opening the folding keyboard.

SWT-H200K and SPH-H1300 are WiBro-only and WiBro plus HSDPA modems, respectively. Connected to PC, the program automatically gets installed and gives access to broadband.

To boost the WiBro market in Korea, the very home of WiBro, Samsung said it would keep brining out various types of WiBro devices. 

Samsung Jitters over Mobile WiMax Business in the U.S.

After it was alleged that Sprint Nextel, one of the biggest wireless carriers in the U.S. would overhaul its mobile WiMax business strategies, Samsung, a strategic partner of the mobile operator, is thought to be affected in significant way.

If Sprint Nextel, Samsung’s biggest reference in WiBro business, makes a swift change in its service plan, it would bring about huge changes in services not only in the U.S. but also in the global market.
 
It was last year when Samsung announced that it and Sprint Nextel forged strategic relations to build WiMax based 4G networks across the U.S. by 2010. Samsung operates the head office for mobile WiMax business in the U.S. and is building mobile WiMax network infra for Sprint Nextel in the east side of the U.S. such as Washington D.C. and New York. In particular, Samsung began building commercial mobile WiMax networks in Baltimore and Washington. Samsung’s network building work is scheduled to be done in April next year in Washington D.C. and August in New York.
 
Samsung said that it would wait and see until Sprint Nextel makes a final decision.