Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, KT, and SK Telecom have been hit by a smooth movement of green IT technologies and convergence services.
While Samsung Electronics recently revealed solar powered mobile phones and environmental friendly LED Televisions, LG Electronics presented a degradable mobile phone that is composed of corn powder based bio-plastic. Both have proven their high energy efficiency and minimized toxic levels.
Telecom companies are also caught in the middle of a Battle of Green IT and Convergence. Two leading companies, SK telecom and KT, have recently introduced various Green IT and convergence technologies.
SKT is indeed promoting green everything -- green automobiles, money, technology, campaigns, stores, offices, communication, and networks. All of these were brought into reality by a swing of the SK Telecom Wand at a recent exhibition in the World IT Show.
“In order to reduce the total national CO2 emission level by 2% by 2013, we are working with several policies such as developing new services with other industries and building solar panel generators for KT buildings.” a KT spokesman said, continuing “While the concept of Green IT is forming its structure amongst people today, it is not quite something that can be displayed in a full context yet. We are in the progress of practicing and applying green IT policies in various areas, even in building designs.”
After merging with KTF, KT has focused more on convergence technology that allows the consumer to “experience” what already exists rather than imagining what there is to come next.
The new services, QOOK & SHOW convergence service, QOOK TV, and QOOK VOIP, were demonstrated at a variety of events. The next generation VOIP, “STYLE Phone”, has several features including Home ATM, traffic and stock information, and multimedia functions. The “SHOW Moov” is a communication platform between wired and wireless devices, and also provides a wireless data service through use of a widget. Also, the “QOOK ClearSkin” service provides content and related information as well as E-shopping with the click of a button on IPTV . Another service that caught many visitors’ attention was the “SHOW Robot Cleaner,” which users can remotely control using a video chat function.
The greatest expectation of the two telecom companies, however, is the convergence of mobile and automobile. Both KT and SK Telecom have introduced the mobile telematics service, “Mobile in Vehicle (MIV)”. Such a ground-breaking move is expected to bring a revolution in the automobile market. By lining up at the starting line of the convergence between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and automobile industry, all new races between the two telecom companies have begun.
Who Commercialized First
KT nailed the commercialization first, right in the instance of its coming out party at the World IT Show 2009. While Samsung announced it will commercialize MIV next year. KT stated that all required tests are finished and ready to be commercialized. KT has demonstrated a service that allows a mobile phone to analyze and control a vehicle. Using the service, the driver could enjoy several features – lock/unlock doors, open/close trunk and fold/unfold side mirrors, as well as changing settings for door locks and security alarms. The driver could also check the real time status of the engine, transmission, water coolant, engine oil, and alternator all with a thin and light mobile phone. This is not all. A feature, Eco Driving Function, analyzes the driver’s driving habits and grades the driver based on statistical data of average speed and acceleration of the car. Currently, the Hyundai’s Equus, Genesis, and Sonata have finished test running and the service is available on the market. KT expects to equip new Hyundai and Kia automobiles with the MIV service in the second half of the year. Only two models of mobile phones work with the vehicles at this moment in time: Samsung SPH-W5200 and SPH-W5700. The service will be expanded to work with more than five cell phones by the end of this year.
Roadrunner Right Behind
SK Telecom has also recently demonstrated an ability to control the Samsung SM7 with MIV technology. The convergence service has several features including the control of a vehicle, security, navigation, and entertainment. All these features could be remotely controlled from a long distance, all with a simple wireless internet connection.
However, the SK Telecom’s mobile telematics technology is scheduled to be commercialized by July of next year. Although KT has commercialized the mobile auto service first, the competition is expected to be tighter than ever before next year. SK Telecom is planning to collaborate with global automobile manufacturers to install SKT’s service in their cars, while enabling the majority of mobile phones to work with most cars on the market. The nation’s top leading two telecom companies indeed are hit by, and struck by, a smooth convergence movement.
