Mobile connectivity reaching new speeds

Rapid advances in Internet service technology have produced impressive new mobile communication tools, offering “user on the move” benefits of super-high speed Internet access at normal-speed prices. A wide variety of products are now available -- from mobile phones to personal digital assistants, laptops to multi-purpose terminals, each tailored to the user’s personal requirements. Never before have these super speed products been so affordable, thanks largely to large-scale investment from communication service providers, enabling wireless ultra-speed Internet access from most major city areas.

◆ WiBro Terminals appearing everywhere

Little time has been wasted by the nation's largest fixed-line service provider KT in introducing its full WiBro service, recently launching a new laptop with built-in WiBro chip. Subscribers to the service can get concessions worth W90,000-240,000 (US$41=W932) and reductions on laptop between W1.6 million and 2 million.

The company’s senior vice president Hong Won-pyo said, the service “will answer the prayers of forward-thinking college students, sales reps and online businesses, as it brings a variety of multimedia Internet services including private broadcast and online education."

The service provider is launching an “ultra-mobile” PC, portable multimedia player and mobile phone equipped with the WiBro facility from late last year to early this year to attract subscribers. Its WiBro service area has been Seoul-wide since the end of last year and become available in other major cities within the next 12 months.

◆ Everything you need

Samsung Electronics recently introduced a prototype for its WiBro-powered cell phone, the Deluxe MITs. The size of a small handbag, the new unit offers a 5-inch screen, 1 GHz CPU, 30 GB hard disc and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Samsung's mobile telecom chief Lee Ki-tae said the product will have the efficiency of high-speed Internet services and the functions of mobile phone, PC, audio player, MP3 player, game console and digital camera. Another leading firm, Digital Cube, also announced plans to release its WiBro UMPC in the first half of this year.

◆ Firms race to harness HSDPA technology

Mobile communications firms are eager to install the new HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) technology and enabling video-calls, video-chatting and video-messaging in light of the limited service currently offered by WiBro.

KTF and SK Telecom now offer HSDPA services in 84 cities and plan to broaden their network to one comparable to cell phone users allowing for nationwide coverage. New hardware to meet the service upgrade is now available from LG Electronics and provides Korea with its first internal HSDPA modem notebook, the 10.6 inch XNote A1, which sells for W2.65 million including the Internet service signup fee.

KTF offers an advanced Internet service within its communications net, while Samsung Electronics released the Sens Q40 notebook powered with an HSDPA modem for use on the SK net. Daewoo Lucoms also has an HSDPA-ready model of its 7-inch ultra-portable Solo M1 slated for release soon. Electronics makers are rushing to meet demand for external modems for laptops that accept HDSPA signals. LG and Samsung are both offering incentives to new laptop owners with free slot modems on models not otherwise equipped.

SK is selling external modems for around W200,000, but that comes down to just W50,000 after factoring in their subsidy bonus. SK Telecom head of business development Chung Nak-gyun said the T-Login service offers wireless high-speed Internet access when consumers insert an HSDPA modem into notebook computers, portable media players, and digital cameras, and is especially popular in the business sector.

In efforts to provide a low-cost HSDPA handset, KTF has started negotiations with local mobile phone producers as well as foreign firms like Nokia.

(englishnews@chosun.com )