Korea might enjoy the world’s – yes, not just Asia’s, but the world’s – best broadband, with average speeds of 13.7 Mbps, but its mobile networks have been lagging somewhat. But 4G smartphones across Korea are now a solid step closer to reality.
On Sunday, SK Telecom spent an astonishing 995 billion won (US$924 million) to secure a key 4G/LTE frequency. The telco giant is the biggest spender thus far in ongoing 4G spectrum auctions. The 20 megahertz of digital horsepower on the important 1.8 GHz band that it has just bought is strategically important. It’s enable SK to deliver the kind of speeds and bandwidth that it’ll need to try grab the lion’s share of 4G switchers.
Korea’s second largest mobile operator, KT Telecom, seems to have dropped out of the running over the weekend as prices soared for this 1.8 GHz spectrum. But has SK Telecom splashed out too much cash for this? One analyst, Park Jong Soo of Korea Securities, thinks not:
The company previously did not have a suitable long term evolution (LTE) spectrum. So for the company it’s better in the long term to pay this high price now than to lose it.
SK Telecom (SEO:017670; NYSE:SKM) shares in Seoul are currently up nearly 4 percent on the news. The NYSE has yet to open.
Not too far away, India is getting its 4G network together. This month, some key moves were made by both Indosat, with a new LTE testing lab, and Bakrie, with its purchase of a smaller operator that holds a national 4G license.
Expect some sweet Samsung and LG Android-powered 4G phones (pictured above) to be falling into the hands of some lucky people in Seoul later this year, or early 2012. But SK Telecom subscribers nationwide will likely have to wait until 2013 if they’re not based in the capital.
[Source: QQ Tech news – article in Chinese]
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
