Proliferation of Smartphones and Tablets in Korea

Two items in the news today provide a sure indication of continued media convergence and the maturation of the market for smartphones and mobile devices.  The first item notes the change in distribution and sales of smart phones.  In the past, manufacturers of mobile devices sold them only through a single mobile operator.  Apple changed that pattern by making the iPhone available through both KT and SKT, and the other major handset and tablet manufacturers have followed suite, as reported by the Chosun Ilbo.  Another article, in the Joongang Daily, reports that this week will see the introduction of a "deluge of new smartphone and tablet PC models." (click on the illustration to see a larger version)

Are Smart Phones Tracking Users in Korea?

The Joongang Daily this morning carried an article with the accompanying data (click on the graphic to view a full sized version) on the growth of location-based data and location-based service businesses in Korea.  Not surprisingly, the chart shows a rather dramatic increase in the business between 2009 and 2010.  This is exactly what we would expect, given that Apple's iPhone was delayed in coming to the South Korean market and did not arrive here until November of 2009.  While location-data businesses, which include Apple and Google, collect location data, location-based services businesses use that data for various services such as logistics, transportation, or emergency services. LBS is considered a rising business, and not just in Korea. Research firm Gartner said the market for location-based services - currently worth $2.9 billion - will to rise to $8.3 billion in 2014.

How Widespread is Mobile Phone Use in North Korea?

The English online version of The Chosun Ilbo this morning has a short, but fascinating article, entitled "How Widespread is Mobile Phone Use in North Korea?"  As readers of this blog will know, I've been following not only the extent of mobile phone usage in North Korea, but also its implications, in posts over the past several years.  According to The Chosun Ilbo article, the mobile phone penetration rate in North Korea is only about 1.3 percent, far lower than South Korea's 103.9 percent, but the average usage time amounts to 300 minutes, more or less the level of South Korea's. Hwang Sung-jin of the Korea Information Society Development Institute, said this is because of brisk usage among high-ranking North Korean officials.  The article also quotes Suk Ho-ick of KT, the chairman of the IT Unification Forum, on North Korea's efforts to control the use of mobile phones.

The Introduction of LTE in Korea

As reported in the Joongang Daily, Korea's mobile service providers all have plans in place to begin offering LTE (long term evolution) service this year or next.  As shown in the accompanying graphic (click for full-size version) SK Telecom and LG U+ will introduce the service in July of this year, while KT, which is highly invested in a nationwide WiBro network, will follow in the first quarter of 2012.  Both LTE and Korea's own technology, Wibro (mobile WiMax) are fourth generation mobile technologies that deliver more speed than third generation mobile networks.   Speed translates into a much more satisfactory customer experience when using video or data-intensive mobile services.

LG Steps up Research Recruitment: Study abroad and Korea's R&D

In our new book on Digital Development in Korea (Routledge, March 2011), Dr. Oh and I devote an entire chapter to the role of education in this nation's remarkable rise from the ashes of the Korean war.  One portion of that chapter deals with the role of study abroad   Today the Joongang Daily carried an article that further underscores some of the points made in our chapter.  As shown in the accompanying graphic (click to see a full size version) the LG Group is stepping up its research recruitment in the United States, and specifically in Silicon Valley.  It sponsored a four-day event called Techno Conference in San Jose, attended by 20 technology executives at LG Electronics, in an effort to promote the company among engineers.  Around 150 Korean students and engineers participated, including those pursuing masters and doctoral degrees at prestigious U.S. universities (such as nearby Stanford U.), along with those working at major IT companies.  About 100 signed up for on-site interviews.
Techno Conference is only the latest in a series of efforts LG has been pursuing to strengthen its R&D capabilities. Late last month, LG Electronics announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with 13 major universities in Korea, including Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist) and Pohang University of Science and Technology.