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Press Release
as the hand-off function-enabled handset was launched, SK telecom started acquiring WCDMA service subscribers in a full-fledged manner.
SK Telecom pays a handset subsidy. This means customers can purchase handsets in the price range of KRW 600,000.
SK Telecom offers WCDMA service subscribers video telephony calls and data calls free of charge during the promotion period. They originally cost KRW 24,000 and KRW 13,000 for one month respectively.
SK telecom plans to initiate WCDMA Automatic roaming service in Japan by the end of June, and Singapore and Hong Kong in July. the WCDMA Automatic roaming service lets customers send and receive text messages, connect to wireless Internet service, and enjoy international video telephony services other than voice calls.
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Video Telephony service, the most important feature in WCDMA service, is shown being demonstrated (WCDMA service is a 3rd generation mobile phone service that offers Video Telephony and high-quality data. This service was first commercialized at the end of December of 2003. It also features smart multitasking functions and automatic roaming, in addition to Video Telephony).
Now you can meet a very intelligent mobile phone service that offers a variety of smart functions ranging from video telephony and automatic roaming, to multitasking.
SK Telecom has been carrying out full-fledged marketing activities designed to promote WCDMA services. The company introduced a variety of promotional rate plans, and has paid WCDMA handset subsidies to attract new subscribers, since May 1st.
On May 2nd SK Telecom started raising WCDMA service subscribers in a full-fledged manner when the hand-off function of the W120 WCDMA handset was upgraded to fully support the WCDMA network as well as the CDMA network. The hand-off function is designed to prevent the disconnection of call traffic. The W120 WCDMA handset was launched by Samsung Electronics at the end of December 2004.
In particular, SK Telecom decided to pay a specific handset subsidy that is allowed in consideration of the promotion of a new technology, as well as a new service. In this regard, customers can purchase Samsung Electronics’ W120 handsets whose original retail price range is KRW 850,000, in the price range of KRW 600,000.
Currently, only one model of WCDMA service-enabled handsets has been launched. SK Telecom will strengthen the handset lineup when Samsung Electronics releases the W130 model in August. Additionally, SK Teletech and Samsung Electronics will each introduce one model by the end of this year.
On April 1st, the company decided on a video telephony service rate of KRW 120 per 10 seconds (KRW 80 for a discounted rate), and released three selective rate plans of video telephony service. To attract new subscribers SK Telecom launched WCDMA promotion rate plans on May 1st.
SK Telecom plans to offer WCDMA service subscribers free video telephony calls worth KRW 24,000 (over 40 minutes) for one month after they begin their subscription. Furthermore, until the end of June the company will provide free video telephony calls worth KRW 36,000 (over 1 hour), KRW 126,000 (over 3.5 hours), KRW 360,000 (over 10 hours) to customers who have subscribed to the Video Telephony 10, 20, and 30 rate plans respectively. WCDMA service subscribers who want to enjoy ’NATE’ and ’June’ service as much as they want without the burden of call charges, will be offered data call rates worth KRW 13,000 free of charge for one month from the day of subscription. In addition, until the end of June, SK Telecom will hold a promotion event that gives a KRW 7,000 discount benefit to customers who subscribe to the Data Free rate plan (KRW 26,000 per month). The company will also charge KRW 1.3 per data call packet regardless of the type of content the customers use until the end of this year. Current data call charges range from KRW 1.3 to KRW 6.5. This will let customers enjoy wireless Internet service more economically.
An SK Telecom official said that its automatic roaming service area has expanded from CDMA regions to WCDMA regions around the globe. This will let SK Telecom’s WCDMA service users make and receive calls with their original Korean handset and number in a total of 7 countries, by the end of this year. SK Telecom has a plan to initiate the WCDMA automatic roaming service in Japan by the end of June, and in Singapore and Hong Kong by July. The company will expand its service area to European countries such as Italy, The Netherlands, England and Germany, by the second part of this year. The WCDMA automatic roaming service lets customers send and receive text messages, connect to wireless Internet service, and enjoy international video telephony services.
Another feature of a WCDMA handset is a Universal Subscriber Identify Module (USIM) chip that lets customers store a telephone directory and short messages, and make financial transactions safely if they carry a financial identification certificate. Whenever customers change their handsets, they can install the used USIM chip in their new handsets. SK Telecom has also installed a smart card in the handset in order to increase security whenever financial transactions are made. The USIM chip is an indispensable component for use of the WCDMA service. Each chip costs KRW 13,000, and customers should purchase these separately from the handset.
The WCDMA service has a multitasking function that lets customers transmit text messages or connect to a wireless Internet service while talking over the phone. Furthermore, it has a streaming video mail box function which enables callers to leave streaming video messages in the mail box when the other party is not there to receive the phone call.
When one changes to the WCDMA service from an existing CDMA service, number portability is not permitted because customers must use the WCDMA 010 prefix number. Instead, existing benefits such as Rainbow points, and service rate discounts on long-term subscriptions, will continue.
The WCDMA service is currently available in the Seoul area. The service area will be extended to the metropolitan area, as well as major cities nationwide, by the end of this year. After 2006, it will be extended to 84 cities across the country.
In order to promote the WCDMA service early on, SK Telecom will hold the "Video Telephony Go Festival" for the entire month of May. The company will offer many gifts and discount coupons for such things as the latest handsets, PDP, etc. to subscribers to the WCDMA service during this period. Furthermore, SK Telecom is operating a WCDMA service demonstration booth in population concentration areas like Kangnam Subway Stations, Techno Mart, Yongsan Subway Stations, etc. during the weekends for 3 weeks, starting on April 30th.
SK Telecom has been carrying out full-fledged marketing activities designed to promote WCDMA services. The company introduced a variety of promotional rate plans, and has paid WCDMA handset subsidies to attract new subscribers, since May 1st.
On May 2nd SK Telecom started raising WCDMA service subscribers in a full-fledged manner when the hand-off function of the W120 WCDMA handset was upgraded to fully support the WCDMA network as well as the CDMA network. The hand-off function is designed to prevent the disconnection of call traffic. The W120 WCDMA handset was launched by Samsung Electronics at the end of December 2004.
In particular, SK Telecom decided to pay a specific handset subsidy that is allowed in consideration of the promotion of a new technology, as well as a new service. In this regard, customers can purchase Samsung Electronics’ W120 handsets whose original retail price range is KRW 850,000, in the price range of KRW 600,000.
Currently, only one model of WCDMA service-enabled handsets has been launched. SK Telecom will strengthen the handset lineup when Samsung Electronics releases the W130 model in August. Additionally, SK Teletech and Samsung Electronics will each introduce one model by the end of this year.
On April 1st, the company decided on a video telephony service rate of KRW 120 per 10 seconds (KRW 80 for a discounted rate), and released three selective rate plans of video telephony service. To attract new subscribers SK Telecom launched WCDMA promotion rate plans on May 1st.
SK Telecom plans to offer WCDMA service subscribers free video telephony calls worth KRW 24,000 (over 40 minutes) for one month after they begin their subscription. Furthermore, until the end of June the company will provide free video telephony calls worth KRW 36,000 (over 1 hour), KRW 126,000 (over 3.5 hours), KRW 360,000 (over 10 hours) to customers who have subscribed to the Video Telephony 10, 20, and 30 rate plans respectively. WCDMA service subscribers who want to enjoy ’NATE’ and ’June’ service as much as they want without the burden of call charges, will be offered data call rates worth KRW 13,000 free of charge for one month from the day of subscription. In addition, until the end of June, SK Telecom will hold a promotion event that gives a KRW 7,000 discount benefit to customers who subscribe to the Data Free rate plan (KRW 26,000 per month). The company will also charge KRW 1.3 per data call packet regardless of the type of content the customers use until the end of this year. Current data call charges range from KRW 1.3 to KRW 6.5. This will let customers enjoy wireless Internet service more economically.
An SK Telecom official said that its automatic roaming service area has expanded from CDMA regions to WCDMA regions around the globe. This will let SK Telecom’s WCDMA service users make and receive calls with their original Korean handset and number in a total of 7 countries, by the end of this year. SK Telecom has a plan to initiate the WCDMA automatic roaming service in Japan by the end of June, and in Singapore and Hong Kong by July. The company will expand its service area to European countries such as Italy, The Netherlands, England and Germany, by the second part of this year. The WCDMA automatic roaming service lets customers send and receive text messages, connect to wireless Internet service, and enjoy international video telephony services.
Another feature of a WCDMA handset is a Universal Subscriber Identify Module (USIM) chip that lets customers store a telephone directory and short messages, and make financial transactions safely if they carry a financial identification certificate. Whenever customers change their handsets, they can install the used USIM chip in their new handsets. SK Telecom has also installed a smart card in the handset in order to increase security whenever financial transactions are made. The USIM chip is an indispensable component for use of the WCDMA service. Each chip costs KRW 13,000, and customers should purchase these separately from the handset.
The WCDMA service has a multitasking function that lets customers transmit text messages or connect to a wireless Internet service while talking over the phone. Furthermore, it has a streaming video mail box function which enables callers to leave streaming video messages in the mail box when the other party is not there to receive the phone call.
When one changes to the WCDMA service from an existing CDMA service, number portability is not permitted because customers must use the WCDMA 010 prefix number. Instead, existing benefits such as Rainbow points, and service rate discounts on long-term subscriptions, will continue.
The WCDMA service is currently available in the Seoul area. The service area will be extended to the metropolitan area, as well as major cities nationwide, by the end of this year. After 2006, it will be extended to 84 cities across the country.
In order to promote the WCDMA service early on, SK Telecom will hold the "Video Telephony Go Festival" for the entire month of May. The company will offer many gifts and discount coupons for such things as the latest handsets, PDP, etc. to subscribers to the WCDMA service during this period. Furthermore, SK Telecom is operating a WCDMA service demonstration booth in population concentration areas like Kangnam Subway Stations, Techno Mart, Yongsan Subway Stations, etc. during the weekends for 3 weeks, starting on April 30th.