Korean Telecommunication Firms to Offer W-CDMA Video Call Service
Korean firms, SK Telecom and KTF are working on providing commercially viable video call services based on third-generation (3G) technology W-CDMA as soon as possible.
SK Telecom, the nation's foremost wireless carrier, reduced rates for W-CDMA video calls from $.40 per 10 seconds to $.12 in April after getting government approval last month.
KTF, the runner-up operator and the other W-CDMA licensee here, offers video calls at an even lower rate of $.10 per 10 seconds
Combined with the legalized handset subsidy for W-CDMA phones, the discount is expected to attract customers to the next-generation service.
W-CDMA promises a string of two-way applications, such as video calls, videoconferencing and real-time online games, thanks to a data transmission speed of 1-2 megabits per second, which is similar to that of fixed-line broadband, for both uplink and downlink.
The 3G service made its commercial debut in Korea in late 2003 with much fanfare but it has not been successful as few customers have signed up for it.
However, things are expected to change this year as SK Telecom and KTF vow to make a large investment on the next-generation platform. SK Telecom plans to spend $600 million this year and KTF set aside $350 million.
The government projects the aggressive investment will attract up to 250,000 clients this year to W-CDMA and the customer base would expand to 1.6 million in 2006 and 4.4 million in 2007.
SK Telecom, the nation's foremost wireless carrier, reduced rates for W-CDMA video calls from $.40 per 10 seconds to $.12 in April after getting government approval last month.
KTF, the runner-up operator and the other W-CDMA licensee here, offers video calls at an even lower rate of $.10 per 10 seconds
Combined with the legalized handset subsidy for W-CDMA phones, the discount is expected to attract customers to the next-generation service.
W-CDMA promises a string of two-way applications, such as video calls, videoconferencing and real-time online games, thanks to a data transmission speed of 1-2 megabits per second, which is similar to that of fixed-line broadband, for both uplink and downlink.
The 3G service made its commercial debut in Korea in late 2003 with much fanfare but it has not been successful as few customers have signed up for it.
However, things are expected to change this year as SK Telecom and KTF vow to make a large investment on the next-generation platform. SK Telecom plans to spend $600 million this year and KTF set aside $350 million.
The government projects the aggressive investment will attract up to 250,000 clients this year to W-CDMA and the customer base would expand to 1.6 million in 2006 and 4.4 million in 2007.
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