IMT-2000 service could be delayed

The government hinted at the possibility of delaying the launch of the next-generation IMT-2000 commercial service slated for June 2002.

Ahn Byung-Yub, Minister of Information and Communication, revealed that if the technology standard committee for IMT-2000 service requested postponement of the launch, he would accept it. At a meeting with the press on Monday, Minister Ahn said, ¡°The commercialization of the IMT-2000 service was set for the time of the opening of the 2002 World Cup, but we have not fixed the exact date in a bid to prevent excessively overlapping investments.¡±

¡°Although development of the asynchronous technology cannot catch up with that of the synchronous as of now, there will be no particular difficulties if both sides cooperate,¡± he added.

The minister's comment has something in common with the contention of SK Telecom, which has implied that it could delay commercial IMT-2000 service for one year in order to introduce localized equipment for the asynchronous method.

On the technology standard side, Minister Ahn reaffirmed the government's non-involvement principle, saying that he would accept any results if the technology standard committee gathers opinions of the industries involves and submits a conclusion. This implies that the government will allow the single-method service plan if the business circles reach an agreement. The ministry has stuck to its stance that both the synchronous and asynchronous methods should be simultaneously adopted by local carriers.