First Samsung WiBro Unit

Samsung Electronics has presented the world premier compound product, the WiBro unit (mobile WiMAX), which combines a WiBro (wireless broadband) with mobile communications service.

Samsung Electronics held an international event, “Samsung Mobile WiMax Summit 2006” at the Shilla Hotel, Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, on November 7 and introduced the “Deluxe MITs,” a compound WiBro unit.

The design of this unit is just like a small laptop computer which combines the screen with the keyboard into one body, and it is portable as it can be folded into the size of a palm.

In addition, the unit is given a mobile number, making it possible to send and receive voice calls, video calls, and text messages if the extra mobile unit is connected via Bluetooth.

Lee Ki-tae, president of Samsung Electronics, said, “Portable machines such as laptops and personal digital assessments will be converged and absorbed into the communication unit market.”

He added, “Government officials in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have visited Korea and showed a deep interest in WiBro when they toured the Samsung Electronics R&D center. The service will begin in those areas from the beginning of next year.”

Lee explained, “The Middle East is the most appropriate place to introduce WiBro, given its topography and the communications market situation,” indicating that there are ample flat plains and less communications business in the Middle East.

Samsung Electronics has invited 60 organizations and 220 people, including market researchers, investors, and manufacturers from 35 countries, in order to advertise that Korea is leading the standardization of WiBro technology.

jaykim@donga.com