KCC (Korea Communications Commission) allowed Voice over Wibro service from next year. KCC is hoping that Wibro market will be more active with this decision. Wibro subscribers in Korea are  only 200 thousand since its launching in 2006.

KT are expected to start mobile network business by itself with its Wibro network. If KT will provide mobile network business with Wibro, the cost will be cheaper than other MNOs’ operating cost.  KCC decided to assign the remaining frequency for Wibro, 2360 ~ 2400 MHz, to new operator preferentially. KCC is also considering to assign 2.5 GHz to new Wibro operator. Due to this, Cable TV operator and other company could begin mobile network business through Wibro.

Today, KCC will allow to use 010 access code, mobile phone prefix in Korea, for Wibro operator. That means Wibro operators can provide mobile network service like existing MNOs. If more companies are comming mobile network industry with Wibro network, more various mobile services would be available for Korean customers.

To stay connected and have internet access on the run is something that have been opened for a merely few. Free internet access on airports, cafés, and public transportation is something the world has been anticipating for years, but is it possible in reality for anyone?

In Digital Korea it is not a possibility anymore, because now it is the reality.

In Korea free internet access at the airport, cafés, and restaurants are widely spread, and with the projected success of WiBro, the internet access in taxis and public transportations are expected to be provided in an even wider range in the country.

WiBro is the Korean version of mobile WiMax. KT ((Korea’s biggest telecom carrier)) (www.kt.co.kr) launched Wibro service in Korea in 2006.  Wibro is an internet connection that offers an aggregate data throughput of 30 to 50 Mbit/s and covers a radius of 1-5 km allowing for the use of portable internet usage. In detail, it will provide mobility for moving devices up to 120 km/h (74.5 miles/h).

In Kyung-Ghee province in Korea KT will be launching 20 taxis and 1000 buses with WiBro connection in November 2008, to let the passengers use the internet while on the move, and consequently stay connected and expand the usage of WiBro in Korea. From October 2008, KT started the beta test of the Wibro system on public buses as follow.

This is the wibro terminal on the bus located at backside of the seat. It has touch-screen display, so you can easily use this with your fingers. To use internet with this terminal you should pay by T-money ((T-money is smartcard in Korea for public transportation including bus and metro)) or mobile phone.

As pictures above you can surf the internet simply sitting on the bus!

Following video clip, provided by IDG News service, will show you how Wibro works on the move.

Global Mobile Vision 2008(GMV), the international event for mobile industry, is held from November 11 to 13 in Seoul, Korea. This event is including Wireless Broadband Convergence Forum 2008, Global Mobile Business Forum and Global Mobile Business Fair. This event focuses on Mobile convergnece, Mobile computing, Wireless Internet service, WiMax, Mobile devices, Mobile contents, Mobiel security, VoIP and Wireless broadband.

At the first day KT, Samsung, NTT DoCoMo, Motorola and T Mobile will provide keynote speech. Following the keynotes Global Mobile Service & Broadcasting (Track A) and Wibro (Track B) Session will be held. For more detail information, visit here.

According to Global Mobile Vision 2008 official web site,

This event has been designed to provide a value-added opportunity for global mobile industry business leaders to explore cooperation with Korean mobile companies. Leading Korean mobile network operators in addition to Korean mobile vendor experts will be on hand to appraise attendees on current mobile trends and how to capitalize on these opportunities.

The objectives of Global Mobile Vision 2008 are:

•To identify best practices for international mobile service deployment;
•To discover potential commercial opportunities presented by Korean mobile technology;
•To promote mutual cooperation and foster future partnerships with over 200 first-hand Korean mobile solution and system providers.

Global Mobile Vision 2008 will focus on the following areas;

•Mobile convergence, Mobile computing, Wireless Internet service, WiMax, Mobile devices, Mobile contents, Mobile security, VoIP, and Wireless broadband
•Global mobile operators, Mobile (wireless) network vendors, Innovative mobile H/W & S/W technologies