Chinese 3G Test Center Opened in South Korea
South Korea's SK Telecom has opened a TD-SCDMA testing office at it's R&D center in Bundang, Korea. The TD-SCDMA Test-bed is a joint project of SK Telecom and the Chinese government.
On August 28, 2006 SK Telecom signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) for cooperation on development of the "TD-SCDMA Project". As part of the agreement, SK Telecom established the TD-SCDMA Service Development Center in Beijing on February 6 of this year. The Center has been conducting research on network operating technologies, 3G services and terminal platforms, and will continue to research and develop 3G follow-up and 4G technologies.
An SK official said that the TD-SCDMA Test-Bed, together with the TD-SCDMA Service Development Center, will play a crucial role in strengthening the competitive edge of TD-SCDMA technology and promoting the 3G service in China. Quoting figures published by the Gartner Group, the official said that the China's 3G service-related investment is expected to reach US$10 billion over the next four years.
With the opening of the TD-SCDMA Test-bed, SK Telecom will execute key tasks such as network construction and interoperability tests, server and terminal platform function tests, and 3G multimedia and convergent service development. The company will also watch for and resolve any problems that may arise in the process of launching large-scale commercial services. In addition, SK Telecom intends to make every effort to accelerate the commercialization of TD-SCDMA service through systematic cooperation with the Development Center in Beijing.
Information and Communication Minister Jun-hyong Rho commented in his congratulatory speech that "The opening of the TD-SCDMA Test-bed is the first successful combination of Korea's advanced technological edge and the Chinese government's drive to promote advanced telecommunications technologies. I hope our two countries' cooperation continues to lead the global telecom industry beyond Asia".
As part of SK Telecom's multi-pronged strategy to become a major player in China's telecommunications market, as it has forged long-term partnerships with Chinese telecom operators and government bodies. The company invested US$1 billion in China Unicom last year, and established Cyworld China in February 2007. SK Telecom is currently working on the establishment of a holding company in China.
Shin Bae Kim, president of SK Telecom, commented that "From the Chinese government's point of view, the TD-SCDMA Test-bed, as the first pilot network built in a foreign country, is an excellent model for China to follow as it advances to the global market. It establishes a solid foundation for the two countries' cooperation on future generation telecommunications technologies, and secures technological leadership for two important world economies."
Posted to the site on 11th April 2007