Korea to Test Chinese 3G Standard

South Korea's SK Telecom says that it had established an MOU for cooperation in the "TD-SCDMA Project", the first non-Chinese telecom service provider to agree on cooperation with China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on development of TD-SCDMA, China's 3G mobile telecom technology standard.

By next year, SK Telecom plans to deploy a TD-SCDMA experimental station in Korea's Bundang area, make use of the Company's network deployment and service operation experience to proceed with tests on TD-SCDMA technology and various value added services, enabling the improvement in TD-SCDMA network performance and its commercialization in China.

Also, SK Telecom and China's National Development and Reform Commission will establish a TD-SCDMA service development center to pursue joint research and development in 3G multimedia services, value added services and platforms.

Also, SK Telecom and its business partners (handset makers, equipment manufacturers and solutions providers) may develop TD-SCDMA products and services based on the experimental station, resulting in opportunities to enter the China market in IT-related industries.

SK Telecom's CEO Shin-Bae Kim remarked on the significance of the agreement, saying, "The Ministry of Information and Communication has continuously pursued Korea-China cooperation in the IT industry, and the MOU has been realized with its interest and support. With companies around the world actively seeking entry into China's telecommunications market, SK Telecom being the first foreign telecom service provider to establish a cooperative relationship with China's NDRC on TD-SCDMA technology signifies the full recognition of SK Telecom's technological prowess."

Posted to the site on 4th September 2006