SK Telecom Opens an Era of 100 Mbps Wireless Data Speeds with Heterogeneous Network Integration Solution
- Scheduled to begin a solution that enables simultaneous use of 3G and Wi-Fi networks within the second half of 2012 and plans to commercialize one that offers both LTE and Wi-Fi networks in 2013
- Applied for patents for its 61 independently-developed technologies in Korea and currently in process of filing for patents in other countries
Hong Kong, 4 January – SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) today announced the successful development of Heterogeneous Network Integration Solution, an innovative technology that enables simultaneous use of different types of networks including 3G, LTE and Wi-Fi to ensure up to 100 Mbps high-speed data service.
The technology, first of its kind in the world, is capable of seamlessly integrating two heterogeneous networks – i.e. 3G and Wi-Fi, or LTE and Wi-Fi – to provide a data service, the speed of which is the sum of two network speeds.
Developing a technology that allows simultaneous use of two networks of different technology specification and frequency band have long been an interest of mobile carriers as they face limited radio resources. SK Telecom marks the first in the world to independently develop the core technology.
For instance, for high-quality video streaming service users, Heterogeneous Network Integration Solution will reduce video loading time by more than 50% and eliminate buffering during video streams. Moreover, customers will gain Wi-Fi access automatically upon entering a Wi-Fi zone, which removes the need for them to search for Wi-Fi availability at each and every location.
SK Telecom plans to apply this solution to enable simultaneous use of 3G and Wi-Fi networks in the second quarter of 2012 to realize a theoretical maximum speed of 60 Mbps service and begin LTE and Wi-Fi integrated service in 2013 to offer a 100 Mbps ultra-high speed wireless Internet service.
To this end, SK Telecom plans to launch the world’s first smartphone based on this solution during this year, and expects to apply the technology to all handsets to be launched in 2013, after conducting an analysis of consumer response and data distribution effect.
The company has already developed many handset and server related technologies. It applied for patents for its 61 independently-developed technologies in Korea and is currently filing for patents in other countries. In addition, SK Telecom will push for standardization of Heterogeneous Network Integration Solution through world-renowned international organizations in the field of mobile telecommunications like 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T), while displaying it at the Mobile World Congress 2012, to be held in February, to highlight its leadership in next-generation network technology.
Furthermore, SK Telecom expects that the solution will help improve the overall 3G data communication environment for users as it resolves data traffic issues of 3G and LTE networks by increasing the use of Wi-Fi networks.
Byun Jae-Woan, CTO of SK Telecom said, “SK Telecom will provide customers with a data service of much greater speed with Heterogeneous Network Integration Solution, which represents one of the company’s world’s top-level network operation technologies. By realizing the speed of fixed-line services with wireless networks, SK Telecom will allow its customers to experience a new and innovative mobile life”
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, KSE: 017670) is Korea’s leading telecommunications provider with more than 26 million subscribers, which accounts for more than 50% of the total market. The company established in 1984, reached KRW 12.46 trillion in revenue in 2010. SK Telecom was the first to launch and commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, and it currently provides cellular, wireless internet, mobile media, global roaming service and more. For more information, please visit www.sktelecom.com or email to press@sktelecom.com.
Media Contact:
Irene Kim
SK Telecom Co. Ltd.
(822) 6100-3834
Winnie Pang
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
(852) 2894 6233
