Sending Images Between Korea-Japan Through Cell Phones

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun reported on the 27th that from the end of this month, Korea’s SK Telecom and Japan’s KDDI are to provide linking service, which enables users to send still images back and forth through cellular phones equipped with built-in cameras.

Such commercial service that transmits pictures across national boarders is the first in the world.

The two corporations decided upon the service in preparation for increase in communication demand during the 2002 World Cup that begins on the 31st. Interchange of information was made possible due to the fact that the two service providers had adopted the 3rd-generation communication mode, CDMA 2000.

Still images are to be transmitted via Internet in the form of attachment in email. In case of KDDI, pictures are sent to SK cellular phones immediately after being taken from its built-in camera phones that came into the market last month. Cost is 17 yen. SK Telecom users can follow the same steps to send images to Japan. Transmission of moving pictures is also to be in service in near future.

The two corporations have already begun the service that enables cellular phones to be used in both countries from the 22nd.

Young-Ee Lee yes202@donga.com