KT will begin to provide its wireless voice mobile services over WiBro networks by the fourth quarter of 2009.
Many people expect to use wireless voice mobile services over WiBro networks due to expectations of cheaper mobile charges and the inspiration of increasing domestic mobile markets. According to KT sources, the company plans to provide its first service models to the public by the end of this year right after completing construction of WiBro networks for wireless mobile devices with voice services.
This means that it is now possible to use wireless voice mobile services over WiBro networks for cheaper prices than common wireless mobile services. And additionally, it is possible to use wireless internet services with a monthly subscription fee.
“The people who live outside of the Metropolitan area still need to subscribe to both WiBro for wireless services and third-generation (3G) WCDMA networks for voice mobile services for the time being due to the metropolitan-located WiBro networks,” an official said. “Even though our overall plans are to provide nationwide services, it is little early for us to mention about commercialization. We need to have more time to prepare for specific plans of date as well as that of fees.”
However, according to some other sources, KT reluctantly expressed a plan for providing wireless voice mobile services since the government has been requesting KT to expend its R&D investment on WiBro technologies.
Meanwhile, SK telecom, another major service provider in Korea, expressed a negative point of view regarding a plan for wireless voice mobile services over WiBro networks. “We are not considering any types of wireless voice mobile services yet,” SK Officials said. “It is necessary to check out all details of a business model based on a consideration on the directions of government policies.”
