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The Korean-developed telecommunication technology WiBro, which allows users to access the wireless Internet on the move, is to be trialed in the U.S. Fees for the WiBro service, which is accessible even in cars moving at 120 km/h, will be much lower than for wireless Internet access on cell phones.
KT and SK Telecom plan to launch the WiBro service here in the first half of next year. Currently users are able to surf the Internet outside their home by using wireless LAN and via their cell phones, but can only do so in limited areas. Wireless Internet access through cell phones costs an eye-popping W100,000 (US$100) to watch a one-hour-long movie. The WiBro service will cost only W30,000-50,000 a month for unlimited Internet access.
Samsung Electronics said Thursday it signed a contract with Sprint Nextel, the U.S.¡¯ third largest mobile operator, to supply communications equipment and handsets for a WiBro test run there. Korea¡¯s leading electronics company has been developing the technology since 2003 in collaboration with KT and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute.
Under the contract, Samsung and Sprint will work together to pilot WiBro equipment and handsets to commercialize the service and further develop the technology. Sprint chief technology officer Barry West said, ¡°We are confident that working with Samsung will allow us to secure next-generation wireless communications technology.¡±
Samsung will also supply WiBro equipment to other overseas mobile operators including Japan¡¯s KDDI and British Telecom by the end of the year.
The move of Samsung¡¯s WiBro into the U.S. market parallels the success of the code division multiple access (CDMA) technology, industry heavyweights say. Samsung Electronics president Lee Ki-tae said telecommunication systems were a core element in a country¡¯s high-speed network service. Lee highlighted the significance of advanced IT powers such as the U.S. and Japan choosing technology developed in Korea.
There is speculation that the contracts give Samsung Electronics poll position when the standard next-generation wireless Internet technology is decided. A number of companies including Intel are vying to set up their technologies as the standard. Lee was confident the deal with Sprint will secure WiBro¡¯s dominant position in the global market, adding interest was growing worldwide.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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