Expectations and anticipation for the WiBRO trial are on the constant rise as KT is looking for individuals that live within selected area and that have access to notebook computers. Starting from March 3rd to March 25th, 2006, more than 12,000 individuals have applied to take part in the WiBRO trial. Korea Telecom will select roughly 3000 participants and will gear up for the trial during the month of April and May in 5 major areas in and near Seoul, Korea’s capital (Kang-Nam, Shin-Chon, Boon-Dahng, Seo-Cho, Song-Pa).

Samsung will play a critical role in the launch of WiBRO trial service. Network infrastructures, field tests, and equipment installations were done by Samsung in 2005. For the trial, Samsung provided 1000 M8000 handsets and 2000 PCMCIA cards for laptops. As a leader of future technology, Samsung is eager to offer the latest technology for the WiBRO trial.

Kitae Lee, President of Samsung Telecommunication and Network Business, said, “Samsung and Korea Telecom’s strategic collaboration will result in unlimited freedom of communication and data access to our customers. Following the success of the WiBRO trial, Samsung will continue to develop innovative products to maximize the advantages of WiBRO services.”

WiBRO is the Korean brand of Mobile WiMAX service. Mobile WiMAX systems offer high speed wireless data communication to all users. Complying with the IEEE 802.16e standard, this technology will provide individuals with on-demand data to fixed and mobile terminals. With the data transfer capability at maximum 3 Mbps per user, even at moving speeds of 120 km/h, Mobile WiMAX will allow users to access a variety of data services on Samsung mobiles or PDAs.

“As the world eagerly looks for the next-generation technology in telecommunications, Samsung will be right next to our customers to provide the simple yet innovative products to serve their needs. Following the success of our collaboration with Korea Telecom, Samsung will introduce Mobile WiMAX to the rest of the world,” said Kitae Lee.