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Korea Telecom launches LTE today
03 January 2012
2G close clears way for KT’s LTE launch, following South Korean rivals SK Telecom and LG Uplus
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Korea Telecom will introduce its LTE service on January 3 2012, one month later than expected. Initially, the operator will set up the network in the country’s capital Seoul following which it will be expanded with an aim to reach nearly 92% of the population by April.
KT has become the third operator in the country to offer LTE services, following its rivals SK Telecom and LG Uplus, which started offering LTE last year.
The launch follows an approval from a Seoul court to close its 2G service in order to offer the LTE service. KT will use the 1.8 gigahertz spectrum to offer the LTE service, which has been used by its 2G service.
Lee Suk-chae, KT’s chairman and CEO, told reporters: “KT has belatedly launched the LTE service, but our service will better satisfy customers by allowing them to enjoy faster, stable and available services.”
Lee added that it is aiming for nearly four million subscribers for its LTE service by the end of 2012. It will also be offering one tablet and three smartphones with its LTE service. GTB
Further reading from Global Telecoms Business:
Goodbye to 2G services, says Korea's KT 25 Nov 2011
Korea's LG Uplus plans LTE by mid-2012 27 May 2011
Ericsson to create LTE network in Korea 13 May 2011