From November 17 the SK Telecom customer will be able to enjoy high speed wireless Internet service at the level of ADSL(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line).

SK Telecom(www.sktelecom.com) has successfully commercialized the world?s first CDMA2000 1x service and announces that the company is launching a field test of the world?s first synchronized 3G(CDMA2000 1x EVDO, Evolution-Data Optimized) service starting on November 17, and is planning to initiate full-fledged commercial service by March 2002.

The field test of the service will be conducted at some areas of Seoul, Kwachon, and Anyang, then a full-fledged commercial service will be offered centering around Seoul and Kyonggi Province. Furthermore, SK Telecom plans to expand the service to 26 cities throughout the country starting in April 2002. Last October the company completed an equipment performance test using testing equipment from Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Contela.

At the same time, SK telecom has determined a schedule for the development of the terminal(PCMCIA **Note1) for VOD and exclusive data and terminal for Video-conferencing with terminal manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics, SK Teletech and GTRAN. Accordingly, SK Telecom plans to launch a data-oriented cellular phone service through a PCMCIA terminal manufactured by GTRAN starting in December 2001 and provide the service through general terminals from March 2001. Starting in May 2002 the company will furnish full-scale high speed multimedia service via VOD terminal from Samsung Electronics.

SK Telecom?s synchronized 3G(1x EV-DO) service utilizes a technology that allows users to download MP3 moving-image files within 10 seconds and to enjoy smooth moving-images at over 10 frame per second. Currently it takes 4~5 minutes to download a MP3 moving-image file through the existing CDMA 1x service.

Previously it was difficult to develop this type of service due to the restriction of data transmitting speed, but a broadband service is expected to launch by the first half of 2002. This broadband service includes a wide array of content services, such as Video-phone, real-time moving image and high-speed Internet connection while users are moving, among others.

In regard to this service, El Goong Kim, Head of Network Business Division of SK Telecom, said ?SK Telecom will soon provide a high quality wireless data service at a minimal investment cost, based on the company’s accumulated technological expertise and network design technology ?.

He further stated, ?SK telecom will provide this service 6~12 months earlier than any overseas mobile communication service providers. Actually they plan to launch the service at the end of 2002 or the beginning of 2003?. He also expects that this commercial service will contribute to the further activation of the mobile communication system and that terminal markets, and domestic terminal manufacturers, will reach global competitiveness on the basis of the new synchronized 3G equipment and terminal technology.


**Note) PCMCIA is a type of terminal used exclusively for wireless data, utilizing a wireless card that is inserted in a notebook computer or PDA.