SK Telecom signs post-4G R&D pact with Bell

SEOUL, Oct. 18 (Yonhap) -- SK Telecom said Sunday it has signed an agreement with
Bell Laboratories Inc. to jointly develop post-fourth generation (4G)
communication technologies.
South Korea's leading mobile telecommunications service provider said the
memorandum of understanding (MOU) calls for merging communication networks with
information technology.
The tie-up will allow SK to develop key technologies in "smart" communications
networks, expected to lead the next phase in mobile telecommunications, the
company said.
"The MOU can help fuse SK competitiveness to provide cutting-edge services and
commercialization expertise with Bell's proven ability to develop new
technologies," an SK executive said.
He added such an arrangement can lead to greater efficiency and lower costs in
services.
South Korean companies have led growth in the current fourth-generation wireless
technologies and have engaged in aggressive efforts to maintain their edge in the
future.
Bell Laboratories is a member of the Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent group that
specializes in fixed, mobile, and converged broadband networking hardware,
software and services for both the commercial and government sectors.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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