KTF Begins World’s First Mobile IMT-2000 Service

FTF commercialized IMT-2000 (CDMA EV-DO) mobile service `fimm` in the Seoul area on the 10th.

Fimm is 3rd-generation Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile communication, which is 16 times faster than the previous CDMA service that offered 2.4 Mbps as the highest transfer speed.

Exclusive-contents include `Magic n multimedia,` which can send multimedia data like images, moving pictures, and sounds via cellular phones or emails, Video On Demand (VOD), `Magic n Multivision`, `Mobile Broadcasting`, and `Magic n Multi-Q`.

Utility rate is 2.5 won (text- 6.5 won) per packet (512 byte) of the same system as the previous `cdma2000 1x`, and mobile data charge is free until the 30th next month. LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics have each introduced EV-DO-exclusive cellular devices along with the commercialization of the service.

KTF is to expand the service zone into the whole metropolitan area by the end of this month, and provide trial-service at 10 World Cup venues during the World Cup. SK Telecom will also begin the IMT-2000 commercial service during this month.

Tae-Han Kim freewill@donga.com