Optimistic Visions of WiBro’s Future
Optimistic Visions of WiBro’s Future
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  • 승인 2007.07.13 14:46
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"It's only the beginning. KT will never stop growing with WiBro," Director of WiBro BU WiBro Planning Department Cho Sung-kil stated when the reporter congratulated him for its success in business. WiBro, expected to reach 200,000 subscribers by the end of this year, is a good investment for KT. Ever since its launch last year, WiBro service widely served the users throughout the city of Seoul and part of Kyunggi province in 61 universities, subway lines and some expressways, reaching up to 150,000 subscribers at the current point.

Noting the KT's recent movements such as increasing the variety of telephones and additional supplement services to increase the number of WiBro subscribers, the first question thrown was: "Why does KT have to run the WiBro business What does WiBro mean to KT" Director Cho Sung-kil replied: "WiBro will give hegemony to KT in the wireless market. As you are aware, KT used to be the top leading company in the cable industry for the past few decades, however, the world is ubiquitizing. With the WiBro service KT will set a foundation of Wireless Access Solution for the future ubiquitous era. KT will establish high quality cable and wireless networks and develop various convergence service plans to stay on top of the communication business. It is our goal to have 4 million subscribers by 2010 by investing 10 trillion won [US$10.8 billion] to stimulate wireless broadband service and increase the size of the wireless internet market both within and outside of the country."

Since many convergence services are expected to come out in July, the question follows KT's convergence service plans. "KT is in the progress of being partners with KTF to launch the WiBro Convergence Services." Director Cho continued: "WiBro will offer package deals with 2G and 3G which will give the 20% discount on basic fee for the users."

Also in July, KT will start the Megapass and WiBro convergence service plan that would give the users a 5 . 15% discount on Megapass service and an extra 10 . 20% discount on WiBro service. "KT will do whatever it takes to provide high quality services with affordable cost, and in order to do that, coming up with various convergence services is our hot topic these days," Director Cho noted.

KT is aiming the markets overseas as well. Last January KT signed up a technology consulting contract with a company named Neupara in the United States. Also, KT is chair at the WIBRO-Mobile WiMAX Community (WMC) where the enterprises relating to WiBro business from all over the world meets to collaborate.

Director Cho added: "KT will further set successful models within the country and make a successful case like high speed internet to increase the possibility of exporting out to the countries like Central and South America and East Asian countries."

For those enterprises in the overseas who are seeking to start a WiBro service: "KT's experience and the technology will come helpful," Director Cho continued.

"Also, since 802.16e was recently announced as the standard all throughout the world by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE], expansion of the business to the global market is expected." 802.16e is a broadband wireless mobile communication connection standard that contains the core technology of WiBro. "If KT reached the overseas market with standardized connections, it will soon lead out every WiBro market in the world given the credit for being the world's first to succeed in generalizing the service." Director Cho added: "Korea has well taken its geographical advantage so far to utilize the wireless system. It would be KT's next subject to market abroad."

Then how would WiBro service affect the Korean economy "WiBro service can create a massive investment and employment in the related industries within the country such as the equipment, telephone, and content area," Director Cho continued. "According to Yankee Group's market outlook last November, WiBro subscribers all over the world are 27,700,000, and the number of various cell phones and modems like WiBro cells are increasing in a large number every year. WiBro related Base Facility Equipment investment itself will reach 4 billion won by 2010, and the network establishing related investment and service providing platform investment is expected to be twice as much than the equipment area."

Korea has succeeded to commercialize the service as the world's first by taking advantage of its geographical and technical attributes. As Director Cho concluded: "The development of WiBro will vitalize the export of equipment and equipped phones to serve the Korean IT market as its growth power [contributor]."


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