Qualcomm to participate in IMT-2000 project

Qualcomm, Inc. of the United States expressed its intention to participate in the IMT-2000 service project, emerging as a new factor in the selection of multi-carrier (MC)-type IMT-2000 service providers, which is scheduled to take place in the middle of March.

Kim Sung-Woo, head of Qualcomm Korea, visited the Ministry of Information and Communication Tuesday and delivered its intention to take part in the project. It will serve as a partner in the development of Korea¡¯s MC-type technology and a relevant market if a Korean enterprise requests it to do so.

Qualcomm is reportedly planning to participate in the IMT-2000 project as a major shareholder with equity of less then 10%, along with a grand consortium comprised of domestic enterprises including Hanaro Telecom.

Noting that Qualcomm was eager to participate in the IMT-2000 business here, Kim also said that the amount of equity participation and technology cooperation would be up to the partner.

Sohn Hong, director-general of the ministry¡¯s policy bureau, said the consortium launching a challenge for the MC-type business could be an international body led by Qualcomm.

As all participating enterprises preferred the direct spreading (DS)-type in the selection of the IMT-2000 service providers in Japan, Qualcomm announced its intention to take part in the industry through equity participation at the eleventh hour and succeeded in changing KDDI into the MC-type.

Qualcomm¡¯s interest is likely to prompt the participation in the consortium of manufacturing companies like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Electronics Industries. It is also likely to accelerate the appearance of a powerful MC-type business to challenge the two DS-type businesses.