Mobile / HSDPA The newly emerged turbocharger, High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), offers peak downlink data rates of up to 14 Mbps for consumers, translating into shorter service response times, less waiting time and faster connections. Wireless users can now talk on the phone while simultaneously downloading packet data. Most important, they can use their wireless handsets to download Web pages, audio or video at speeds well above the performance they are accustomed to with landline-based DSL or even cable Internet connections. Moreover, it boosts download speeds between five and eight times and doubles network capacity. Last May, SK Telecom Kicked off HSDPA service in some regions of the nation. That company is propelling commercialization of HSDPA service dubbed "3G+." It evolved from WCDMA under a revolutionary motto "the frontier of new generation of telecommunication." As is well known, 3.5G telecommunication HSDPA is a handset- based service. Korea already had stepped up to realize its dream. But we have to pay attention to the shade side of this memorable event, as there are still remaining various problems such as shortage of contents and high service charges that are burdens to subscribers. Why we should pay attention to the 3.5G Telecommunication Service HSDPA mobile standard shows a theoretical maximum speed of 14.4 Mbps and its real life end-user speed will be at least in the range of 2 to 3 Mbps that traditional landline broadband delivers. Their downloading velocity is 7 times faster than existing wireless services such as June (SKT) Fimm (KTF) and Ez-i (LGT). However, lots of people cannot distinguish between WiBro (wireless broadband Internet) and HSDPA, but the most significant difference of them is their basements. In the case of WiBro, it has been developing, based on the Internet and strengthening its mobility, but for HSDPA, it has superiority in voice & visual while it has been developing, based on phone lines. There are many expectations about the upcoming keen competition between HSDPA & WiBro to hold the next generation leader's title. Some experts are pessimistic over the outlook for HSDPA service because the service is in a supplementary relationship with Wireless Broadband Internet, or WiBro. Due to its original technology, WCDMA's low grade, some experts predicted that the service could not attract popularity as it is hard to differentiate itself from 1x EV-DO service and they think HSDPA even inferior to WiBro in terms of frequency allocation. And while WiBro is strictly limited to data, HSDPA can easily handle both voice and data, allowing manufacturers to churn out commercially viable terminals. HSDPA is already available in many parts of the country, and its data transmission capability and coverage are reliable. KT and KTF are destined to struggle to take the top position in the next generation telecommunication field even though they are "blood brothers." But furthermore, SK Telecomm has to prepare more severe competition between other divisions of the company because one division is propelling HSDPA project and another division is propelling WiBro. Don't ask why people shut their minds to the HSDPA HSDPA is not so prevalent in the nation yet. SKT only secured 2000 customers for that service. First of all, customers are unconvinced about the relatively expensive service charges though its services are provided to only some limited regions and offer sparse mobile contents Moreover, HSDPA service users are annoyed about a requirement- customers should change their existing cellular phone numbers to new ones according to the government's policy. Due to these weaknesses, experts express their concerns about the bright future of 3.5G-telecommunication service. But SKT continually asserts that they will provide this service to 48 cities in the nation by August. And will expand that service to 84 cities in the nation by upcoming December to secure almost 20,0000 service subscribers. But there is also a circuit problem, which needed to beimproved. For example, although two months has already passed since it was kicked off, HSDPA handsets are rarely displayed in the shops. And it is hard to purchase the HSDPA series on the roads. According to a sales manager who works for SKT, this problem is caused by insufficient supply from Head Office. To promote commercialization projects faster than now, related suppliers should pay more attention to revising circuit routes. But the fact that new HSDPA cellular phone handsets' designs and functions are inferior to existing ones is what makes that sluggishness worse. And except for videophones, there are no remarkable features, despite its service fee being double the average. And even though some people want to communicate via screens its only possible among limited people who have 3.5G phones. It also makes people to hesitate to sign up for subscriptions. Japan, which has a similar standard of mobile technology, had launched visual phone service earlier than Korea. In that country, 3G phones are widely used by ordinary Japanese people-as many as 90%. So it can sbe said that videophone had already infiltrated that country. But due to its high charges, users who speak over screen are rarely seen there. Even though 3G phones are briskly prevalent in Japan owing to Japanese people's individualistic tendency, but it makes users prefer e-mail and Internet through phones rather than videophone over screen. So we should realize that people's tendency and interest are essential to raise the HSDPA boom. To be crowned as the next generation telecomm in the world. To gain the No.1 telecommunication powerhouse position in the world, first of all, domestic telecommunication companies should strive to provide more attractive additional services, such as lowering the costs of subscription and verifying its contents that are in visual phones. And a totally new suggestion such as integrated visual phone techniques with a messenger service that is prevalent in the nation and supports e- mail and Internet service is worth considering. Except for the above problems, experts generally point out that several factors why Korea will succeed in the HSDPA field are: The dexterity of Korean people, advanced infrastructure, industry and success experience help the nation emulate to the global hothouse of the next-generation wireless applications. Korea is actually a perfect fit as a test-bed of new mobile technologies owing to its state-of-the-art networks both for wire line and wireless as well as trend-conscious users. SKT and KTF said they would ceaselessly develop the commercial-type HSDPA service to commercialize a successful model faster than other foreign competitors. HSDPA significantly enhances W-CDMA with little hardware investment. HSDPA features fully address customers' needs for improving network quality as well as reducing the cost of network deployment and operations. HSDPA's incremental upgrade and dramatic performance benefits will serve as the best stepping stone to 4G for many operators. We also expect ongoing improvements to boost its network efficiency for users.