The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations agency regulating information and communication technology issues, has made a set of requirements for each generation of wireless technology. In order to satisfy fourth-generation (4G) requirements, the download speed should be 1 Gbps for stationary use and

100 Mbps for mobility communication. LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is quickly becoming the go-to technology of choice for 4G networks.



With theoretical speeds of 100 megabits per second for download speeds, LTE will allow users || chr(39) || || chr(39) || || chr(39) || || chr(39) || access to cyberspace 10 times quicker than the conventional 3G platform. It would surely satisfy the insatiable craving for faster connections. When the new technology becomes commercialized, Koreans will enjoy stable communication

and Internet links even when travelling by KTX that is going at 300 kilometers per hour.



Mobile carriers are making aggressive moves to get ahead in the long-term evolution (LTE) platform. SK Telecom is planning to start its commercial service in Seoul from July and is rushing to be the first to provide the 4G service, effectively dealing with the explosive increase of data usage following the smart phone boom and continuing to lead the mobile market. After the commercialization of its service in Seoul, it will be expanded to the metropolitan areas and major cities around the country in 2012 and finally available nationwide by 2013.



KT, the biggest beneficiary thus far in the smart phone boom due to its success as the the exclusive carrier of iPhone in Korea, is set to invest 1.67 trillion won in LTE by 2014 and is planning a commercial service in Seoul early next year.


It will take time for the carriers to see some return on their investment because amoung the over 50 million mobile phone subscribers in Korea, over 20 million are using 2G so it will take time for consumers to turnover and switch to 4G.