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Semiconductor industry

South Korea's WiBro: A Wireless Broadband Technology Boom

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

South Korea's government is hopeful that WiBro will become the next big thing in wireless technology, fueling the country's export sales and making it a global leader in wireless technology. WiBro, a mobile version of WiMax, has been designed to provide high-speed internet access to mobile phones, handheld devices, and laptop computers, with the ability to work even for users in fast-moving cars or trains. If successful in South Korea, WiBro could give mobile WiMax a big boost in the US and elsewhere.

Key Takeaways:

  • WiBro is a mobile version of WiMax, designed to provide high-speed internet access to mobile phones, handheld devices, and laptop computers.
  • South Korea is the first country to trial WiBro, with the government licensing the technology to Korea Telecom and SK Telecom.
  • WiBro is expected to be faster and have a longer reach than Wi-Fi, with a focus on delivering data-intensive services such as movie downloads and gaming.
  • The success of WiBro in South Korea could give mobile WiMax a big boost in the US and elsewhere, making it a global leader in wireless technology.
  • South Korean companies such as LG and Samsung are investing heavily in WiBro, with expectations to become key gear suppliers in the emerging mobile WiMax market.
  • The government's decision to license WiBro is seen as a strategic move to maintain South Korea's position as a leader in wireless technology.

Statistics:

  • WiBro is expected to offer speeds of up to 30 Mbps, with a coverage area of up to 10 miles.
  • Korea Telecom plans to spend over $1 billion on its WiBro network from 2006 through 2011.
  • WiBro is expected to be launched in Seoul by April 2006, with a trial already scheduled for Pusan in November 2005.
  • Mobile WiMax networks, including WiBro, are expected to handle voice, using voice over Internet protocol technology.
  • Samsung has already secured deals with KDDI in Japan and BT Group's British Telecom in the UK.

Sources:

  • Adaptix, "South Korea is an incredible laboratory for high-speed networks," quoted in the article.
  • Vern Fotheringham, chief executive of Adaptix, "It's the most highly wired and highly connected country in the world."
  • LG Electronics, "LG and Intel are working to harmonize WiBro and mobile WiMax standards," (Intel and LG Electronics, no date mentioned)
  • Samsung, "Samsung, South Korea's largest electronics firm, has jumped on the WiBro bandwagon," (no date mentioned)
  • Kerton Group, "WiBro may be cannibalistic, but the government has decided to push things along by offering licenses," quoted in the article.
  • Yankee Group, "KT is better-positioned to take advantage of the WiBro opportunity," quoted in the article.
  • Merrill Lynch, "KT plans to spend more than $1 billion on its WiBro network from 2006 through 2011," (no date mentioned)
  • Moody's Investors Service, "WiMax is unlikely to threaten the business models of incumbent phone companies," quoted in the article.

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