Mobile in Korea

   Korea is one of the most developed countries regarding mobile broadband. There are three services for mobile broadband, T LOGIN of SK Telecom, WiBro of KT and iPlug of KTF. The three operators just have a simple business model for mobile broadband. The services make users connect to internet with their laptops having USB modem or PCI modem card. However, users are not satisfied with the the simple services and feel that the price for mobile broadband services are too expensive.

  Most of Korean people use the fixed broadband service in their home. In addition, there are so many internet cafe in Korea. Most of people can connect to internet without mobile broadband service when they want. There are few people who have needs for mobile broadband service.

  In addition, people think the price is too expensive for them to use the mobile broadband service. If they want to use the mobile broadband service, they have to pay about $20~30 a month for limited data usage(about 1GB) - Currently, KT offers a promotion price plan for unlimited usage until next March.- Even if it is cheaper compared with the service of other countries including US and Japan, most of people think the price schem is not reasonable for broadband service. They consider the tariff compared with the tariff of fixed broadband service. They usually pay $20~30 a month for unlimited usage in order to use the fixed broadband service in their homes. Moreover, the most of fixed broadband services gaurantee high speed of 10Mbps. Korean users think the mobile broadband is slower and more expensive service than the fixed broadband.

  Operators are offering the unlimited options in order to promote the service in the initial stage. However, if the promotion period is ended, many users might stop using the services.

  Operators need another business model except for simple internet connection services. Operators are making efforts to develop new business models. They launched WiBro-embedded PDA or PMP and considered developing WiBro-embedded digital camera. However, there are not any cool business model yet. If someone find a gorgeous business model for mobile broadband, he or she might be a star or a millionaire.

  Anybody has a gorgeous business model for mobile broadband???