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Korea's largest ISP plans 'network fees' for datahogs like YouTube, internet TV
South Korea's biggest internet provider plans to recoup high traffic network upgrades by charging YouTube and other data-hungry sites. KT will start by blocking access to some TV apps found Samsung's internet TVs, looking to strike up a payment deal where data-heavy services would possibly have to share advertising income or pay fees to the ISP. According an interview with Reuters, KT's vice president of smart network policy, Kim Taehwan said it's not just Samsung that it'll be tapping up for cash; once its system is in place, the company will be moving on to bandwidth-taxing manufacturers, "be it Apple or Google."
Korean carriers suspend iPad 2 online sales
Korean mobile carriers SK Telecom and KT Corp have suspended online sales of the iPad 2 only a week after the product was launched. According to a report this morning, tight supplies of the tablet were responsible for the suspension. Reuters noted that the SK Telecom website is showing an apologetic message stating that "our iPad 2 inventory has been depleted and we apologize for failing to provide enough supplies due to the product's global supply shortages." While Apple is still showing wait times of only 1-2 weeks for most of the Apple online stores (including the South Korean store), it's apparent that supplies of the iPad 2 are insufficient to meet the demand from Apple and the two telecom companies. Both of the carriers are counting on tablet and smartphone sales to make up for dismal growth in voice traffic revenues.
iPad will hit Korea on November 30
Earlier this month we reported the iPad had cleared governmental hurdles in Korea and was about to begin taking pre-orders. Today, Electronista reports that over 60,000 pre-orders for the iPad have been taken. KT Corp. is offering the iPad in Korea with a subsidy if you sign up for their data service, bringing the 16GB version to less than US$200. You can still buy a Wi-Fi model without a subsidy for around US$559. Competitor SK Telecom, meanwhile is selling the Galaxy Tab with some success, predicting over 1 million in sales by the end of the year. As far as we can tell, SK Telecom is still considering carrying the iPad (and iPhone 4), but there have been no new announcements from Korea's #1 carrier. Until then, the iPad will continue to be sold by KT Corp.
Found Footage: Koreans enthusiastically welcome iPhone
Apple has begun introducing the iPhone to Asia with varying results. After a slow launch in China, the iPhone and App Store are now doing well, despite the lack of Wi-Fi and an active black market. In Korea, however, enthusiastic customers are snapping them up. Some customers lined up as much as 26 hours in advance, and were rewarded with balloons and a live band once sales began. According to CNNMoney, carrier KT Corp. received approximately 65,000 pre-orders. In addition, Korea Times reports that Korea's competivively priced iPhone -- KT Corp.is selling the 32 GB iPhone 3GS for $317US* with a $38 per month two-year contract and giving away free with a $112/mos. contract -- has prompted Samsung and LG to lower prices on some of their popular models. Let the price wars begin. Above is a television ad currently running in Korea. For footage of the enthusiastic crowd, click below. [Via MacDailyNews] *US prices are accurate as of this writing.
WiBro a go in South Korea
Seemingly always at the forefront of the latest and greatest technologies, little South Korea has once again trumped almost the entire rest of the world by rolling out commercial versions of the long-range wireless networking standard known as WiBro. Based on Intel's version of WiMax, the services offered by both SK Telecom and KT Corp will provide broadband speeds to users in and around Seoul from base stations with one kilometer ranges, allowing subscribers to maintain their connections even while traveling at speeds up to 74MPH. Although a slew of WiBro-enabled devices are on the verge of release, currently that Samsung PCMCIA card we saw last month is one of the few ways to go for getting your mobile WiBro on. Initially SK will be charging around $31.50 per month for its service, while KT's is significantly cheaper at less than $17, although both carriers are planning on introducing tiered pricing based on usage, as well as subsidies up to $105 on compatible gear.
