Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

[Mindy]

KTF to develop W-CDMA tech with Samsung, LG
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/03/17/200403170021.asp

Wireless service provider KTF Co. will collaborate with local cellular phone manufacturers to develop technologies related to wideband CDMA, or W-CDMA, in an attempt to save its struggling third-generation mobile platform from further commercial failure.

The country's second-largest mobile carrier said yesterday that it will launch a technical development team with 16 other companies in the wireless industry, including the two major handset makers - Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc.

The team is expected to focus on building a stronger core network for W-CDMA operations, thus providing flexibility in both circuit and packet switching, and enhancing coverage and receiver technologies.

KTF officials hope that possible technology advancements will provide a breakthrough for the company's W-CDMA services, which have been largely ignored by the public due to the expensive handsets and lack of related content.

Only about 1,100 W-CDMA cell phones have been registered since KTF and SK Telecom, the country's largest wireless service provider, launched the services last December. By contrast, the country's mainstream third-generation mobile platform, CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, has more than five million subscribers.

"We expect the technical development team to provide a solution to the critical technical flaws that have kept the W-CDMA platform from realizing its commercial potential, while giving us a better chance to advance on foreign markets where W-CDMA is quickly becoming mainstream," said Kim Yeon-hak of KTF.

Although CDMA2000 is dominating the battle for a third-generation mobile standard here, Korean companies are reluctant to give up on W-CDMA, which is considered to have greater potential on foreign markets.

Most mobile service providers in Europe have adopt the W-CDMA platform, mainly to avoid surrendering their wireless markets to U.S. telecom developer Qualcomm, which owns the patents for CDMA2000 technology.

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By Kim Tong-hyung





2004.03.17