'WiBro' likely to be deployed in Korea

Korea's home-grown WiBro (wireless broadband) technology could well turn
out to be the 'missing link' between 3G and 4G networks. WiBro will likely
be commercially deployed next year in Korea, providing a natural, evolutionary
path for wireless mobility.

Wibro allows users to maintain an Internet connection on mobile devices even
as they move around. It is based on the IEEE 802.16e standard, better known as
'mobile WiMAX.' It will have a significant advantage over mobile WiMAX as
WiBro will be commercially deployed in South Korea's broadband testing ground
much before any WiMAX players are ready to roll.

The Wibro services operate at up to a quarter of the speed of 'Wi-Fi'
services provided in public places such as coffee shops, but do not require
users to remain in a 'hot spot' near a transmitter. The 2.3-GHz portable
Internet service allows subscribers to use high-speed Internet more cheaply and
more widely, even when moving at speeds of about 60 km (37 miles) per hour.

Samsung reportedly demonstrated the first WiBro services with mobility in
Korea last November, and an early start could well prepare the company for other
markets.

CIOL BUREAU