Impacts of iPhone in Korea :: 2008/12/11 23:11
Yesterday, the policy about mandatory WIPI on all handset in Korea was abolished. After the news, iPhone became a hot potato on Korean blogosphere. As soon as Korean Communication Commission announced that the changed policy will be applied from April 1st of 2009, KTF complained the time for the new policy. A representative of KTF mentioned that they can launch iPhone at present and complained that the time for the new policy is delayed to April of 2009. Many people showed interest in his comment. This proves that many people are interested in iPhone of Apple.
Can iPhone make a huge impact in Korea? I basically think that it is possible for iPhone to penetrate Korean market successfully. Based on my personal experience, iPhone is a definitely attractive device. (Even though iPhone is not launched officially in Korea, I had used it for a while. Because I am working at a mobile operator, I could do it.) First of all, I was surprised at the user-friendly UI. I think Windows Mobile of Microsoft can not compete with iPhone of Apple. Second, I was surprised that iPhone makes customers to use mobile data service naturally. All convenient services and applications of iPhone require data connection with 3G network or WiFi. According to Nielsen Research, 98% of iPhone users in US use mobile data connection. In addition, 43% of iPhone users pay a monthly fee of about $100. It is a marvelous result.
iPhone is making a myth after its launch. Already 3G iPhones of 6.9 mil are sold and 10,000 applications for iPhone were registered on iTune store for five months after its launch. In addition, the market share of iPhone OS already passed over the market shares of BlackBerry’s and Windows Mobile. I expect that iPhone can make a new growth engine for the stagnant Korean mobile market.
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