Mobile Broadband Deployment Strategies for Korea and Demand Analysis

While fixed communication has its inherent limitations on space and mobility, broadband speed has been an issue to be tackled for wireless communication. To this end, mobile broadband services have been developed and expected to create tremendous synergy effects by combining increased broadband speed of fixed communication and excellent mobility of wireless communication. In the case of South Korea, WiBro and HSDPA are gaining ground as mobile broadband standard. As South Korea is scheduled to launch WiBro and HSDPA commercial services by the first half of 2006, service operators are bound to face fierce competition for the domination of market and consumer base because both services have much in common when it comes to their service functions and features in the customer's view point. Given that which to potentially lead the market is a divisive issue even among experts, it is now hard to define their relationship and future prospect for constructive developments of both services. In particular, there have been few, if any, studies conducted to systematically analyze both services from the standpoints of operators (technology) and consumers (market demands) and to deal with practical strategies for vitalizing mobile broadband. Against this backdrop, this paper goes through the following as to mobile broadband centering on WiBro and HSDPA: their conception and significance; background, current status and prospect; technological features and market demands. Based on the studies above, this paper find ways to promote the compatibility between services, which is critical to vitalize mobile broadband, and propose proper roles concerned parties play