2.6 The Korean Cousin: WiBro

South Korea has definitely an advantage in modern telecommunication networks, whether in ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or 3G figures. The TTA PG302 BWA standard was approved in June 2004 by the TTA (Telecommunications Technology Association, the Korean standardisation organisation) and is known as WiBro (Wireless Broadband). This standard has the support of leading people in the Korean telecommunication industry.

Originally sought as a competitor of WiMAX, an agreement was found by the end of 2004, while 802.16e was still under preparation, between 802.16 backers (including Intel) and WiBro backers in order to have WiBro products certified as WiMAX equipments.

WiBro licenses were assigned in Korea in January 2005. The three operators are Korea Telecom (KT), SK Telecom (SKT) and Hanaro Telecom. Pilot networks are already in place (April 2006). Relatively broad coverage public commercial offers should start before the end of 2006. WiBro planned deployments in other countries have been reported (among others. Brazil). This should give WiBro an early large-scale BWA deployment and then provide important field technical and market observations.