South Korean operator plans to launch 30 new smartphones this year.
South Korean mobile operator SK Telecom Co. will launch mobile services based on fourth-generation technology in July, its chief executive said Wednesday, a move that will help the carrier address growing demand for wireless data services spurred by the popularity of smartphones and tablet devices.
SK Telecom, the country's biggest operator by revenue, would be joining other global telecom operators that have moved to launch services based on long-term evolution, or LTE, technology. In December, Verizon Wireless in the U.S. launched LTE services which promises faster data downloads compared with existing third-generation wireless technology. Services providing mobile-data transmission are an important area of growth at a time when mobile voice services are bringing in less money.
In Asia, SK Telecom would be the third carrier after NTT DoCoMo of Japan and CSL, the Hong Kong unit of Australian telecommunications firm Telstra Corp.
"Building on its competitive edge in 3G networks, the company will also make heavy investments" in 4G, Chief Executive Ha Sung-Min said at a briefing.
Last year, SK Telecom spent around KRW1.85 trillion (US$1.65 billion) on capital and has earmarked a similar amount for this year.
SK Telecom's hometown rival KT Corp. has said it plans to invest 1.67 trillion won (US$1.49 billion) in an LTE network from 2011 through 2014, with a target rollout of LTE services in 2012.
To satisfy strong demand for computing devices, SK Telecom said it will introduce around 30 new smartphone models this year, comprising 60% of the company's line-up of new mobile phone devices in 2011, up from 50% last year.
Smartphones have been a big contributor in boosting SK Telecom's data revenue. In the third quarter, SK Telecom said its wireless internet average revenue per user rose to KRW10,124 from KRW9,191 a year earlier.
SK Telecom also plans to release four or five new tablet computers developed by major local and foreign manufacturers during the first half of this year, Chief Marketing Officer Jang Dong-hyun said. He didn't provide the names of the companies.
The company currently carries only one tablet device--Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy Tab.
Jang reiterated the company's previous stance that it isn't considering introducing Apple Inc. devices.
SK Telecom, the country's biggest operator by revenue, would be joining other global telecom operators that have moved to launch services based on long-term evolution, or LTE, technology. In December, Verizon Wireless in the U.S. launched LTE services which promises faster data downloads compared with existing third-generation wireless technology. Services providing mobile-data transmission are an important area of growth at a time when mobile voice services are bringing in less money.
In Asia, SK Telecom would be the third carrier after NTT DoCoMo of Japan and CSL, the Hong Kong unit of Australian telecommunications firm Telstra Corp.
"Building on its competitive edge in 3G networks, the company will also make heavy investments" in 4G, Chief Executive Ha Sung-Min said at a briefing.
Last year, SK Telecom spent around KRW1.85 trillion (US$1.65 billion) on capital and has earmarked a similar amount for this year.
SK Telecom's hometown rival KT Corp. has said it plans to invest 1.67 trillion won (US$1.49 billion) in an LTE network from 2011 through 2014, with a target rollout of LTE services in 2012.
To satisfy strong demand for computing devices, SK Telecom said it will introduce around 30 new smartphone models this year, comprising 60% of the company's line-up of new mobile phone devices in 2011, up from 50% last year.
Smartphones have been a big contributor in boosting SK Telecom's data revenue. In the third quarter, SK Telecom said its wireless internet average revenue per user rose to KRW10,124 from KRW9,191 a year earlier.
SK Telecom also plans to release four or five new tablet computers developed by major local and foreign manufacturers during the first half of this year, Chief Marketing Officer Jang Dong-hyun said. He didn't provide the names of the companies.
The company currently carries only one tablet device--Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy Tab.
Jang reiterated the company's previous stance that it isn't considering introducing Apple Inc. devices.
are still keeping in touch with Apple but nothing has changed from our previous stance," he said.
In July, SK Telecom's former chief executive, Jung Man-won, said the mobile operator was in talks with Apple to offer the U.S. firm's popular tablet computer, iPad, in South Korea. But he also said at that time that the company was concerned over the iPhone 4's antenna-reception problems. Currently in Korea, KT has the exclusive right to sell Apple's iPhone and iPad.
Jang said the "iPad isn't included in the four or five tablets we will be launching this year."
In July, SK Telecom's former chief executive, Jung Man-won, said the mobile operator was in talks with Apple to offer the U.S. firm's popular tablet computer, iPad, in South Korea. But he also said at that time that the company was concerned over the iPhone 4's antenna-reception problems. Currently in Korea, KT has the exclusive right to sell Apple's iPhone and iPad.
Jang said the "iPad isn't included in the four or five tablets we will be launching this year."
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