Korea Telecom (KT), the largest provider of ADSL services in the world with over 6 million subscribers, is eager to demonstrate the portable Internet 'WiBro' during the APEC 2005 IT Exhibition. Unlike Wi-Fi, a WLAN technology of which accessible service range stands roughly 100 meters, WiBro is accessible within a 1 km radius around a base station and at speeds of around 60 km/h. Moreover, it is a new data network more efficient in terms of mobility and speed, thus complementing the shortfalls of telecom operators relying mostly on either broadband or mobile networks. This is why, industry watchers say, that WiBro, the Internet service making its first appearance to the world, is attracting immense interest from home and abroad. In the midst of such development, KT, which has stood at the forefront in bringing various services into reality in one of the most demanding and sophisticated markets in the world, plans to offer citizens of Busan as well as APEC participants a chance to experience the wonders of "Ubiquitous World" through the portable Internet service under the slogan of 'Ubiquitous Life Partner KT'. The Korea IT Times interviewed Nam Joong-soo, president & CEO of KT, to hear more about KT's vision and issues surrounding its WiBro operations. The following are excerpts from the interview: Could you briefly comment on KT's corporate vision For many years, KT has devoted much of its energy on building mainstay infrastructure for the nation's telecommunications industry. This includes, among others, fixed-line telephone networking including the international 001 dialing service and 'Megapass', the wired high-speed Internet. As a result, KT's corporate image as a wired telecom service provider has been strongly ingrained to our customers. Nevertheless, we have been actively seeking the convergence of the wireless with fixed-line services as well as broadcasting with telecommunications. This endeavor has been relentlessly carried out along with our innovative shifts in business ventures that were made to be in step with changes in customer lifestyles and the rapidly advancing IT technologies. Through such efforts, together with new enterprises such as the wireless Internet 'Nespot' and BcN (broadband convergence network), we could and will provide higher values to our customers and meet their needs with great sensitivity, and ultimately transform KT into a global leader in the integrated telecommunications market. Above all, this will enable us to fulfill the 'wonder management' of continuously creating new customer values with enriched services and leave strong impressions on our customers. What place does WiBro occupy among KT's diversified businesses Among the many services we provide, the most exemplary service that can lead the 'ubiquitous society' is none other than WiBro, the portable Internet. So far, we've had seen a great progress in the wireless Internet. However, most services are still rendered in the form of bell rings, characters and simple SMS (e.g. network specific services). The portable Internet we will be demonstrating at the exhibition, however, is the world's first Personal Broadband Service that provides TPS (Triple Play Services) based on wireless IP broadband access solutions. Through this service, we plan to present a new digital paradigm as it is anticipated to fulfill portable data transmissions at low costs but at high speeds. What are the major contents of WiBro services that will be demonstrated at the exhibition The WiBro Internet services we will be demonstrating at the exhibition are individually tailored UI services, live interactive portable information exchanges, fixed and wireless integrated messaging, and all IP based VoIPs. In addition, the 'Wonder-Net' service will show how users can have easy access to the Internet at low costs but at high speeds while the 'Wonder-Tour' service will provide 3D simulated information on surroundings and locations. Apart from these, we also plan to run WiBro bus tours so that as many APEC participants as possible can have the chance to experience the service. How have the responses been like from abroad Requests have been pouring in from abroad for us to make presentations on WiBro at major conferences and seminars. In the Silicon Valley, too, the home to high-tech businesses in the U.S., the research on WiBro is actively taking place. Moreover, we are in the middle of having concrete talks with overseas telecom operators and equipment manufacturers who have made proposals to us for business partnerships.