Number of 3G mobile subscribers nears 20 million

By Kim Young-gyo
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- The number of subscribers to third-generation (3G)
mobile communications services is expected to reach 20 million in South Korea
this month, mobile carriers here said Wednesday.
As of the end of May, SK Telecom Co., South Korea's leading wireless carrier,
reported that it attracted a net 522,018 people to its 3G WCDMA-based service
last month, bringing its total customer to 10.36 million.
??? WCDMA stands for wideband code division multiple access, an improved
communications platform promising faster and more seamless data services than
second-generation CDMA-based services, as well as voice telephony.
??? KT Corp., the country's top phone and Internet company and second-largest mobile
carrier, estimated its total 3G customer base rose from 9.6 million in April to 9.9
million.
The combined number of 3G service users is equivalent to 44 percent of the number
of all mobile phone users in the country, which is nearly 47 million.
SK Telecom first launched nationwide 3G WCDMA service in May 2006, followed by
second-ranked KT in March 2007.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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