Mobile in Korea

  Korean mobile operators start to open their mobile network. SKT, KTF and LGT have separate mobile data services and brands. If a user push the hot key for data service on handset, each user connects to a separate mobile portal belong to each mobile operator which the user subscribes to.

  However, Korean government has insisted that users can choose the initial page of mobile data service and has requested the mobile operator to open their mobile network. Since last year, SK Telecom has provided 'open i' service which is a gateway site connecting between SKT proprietary portal (NATE) and independant mobile sites belong to various players including web portals, newspaper companies and broadcasting companies. Users search a specific mobile site and connect to independant mobile site easily using 'open i' service.

  'open i' service is based on 'WINC' service initiated by Korean government. (Pleas refer to the link for details about WINC) Users connect to an independant mobile site with a number provided by WINC service. If an user knows the number like domain address of web site for a mobile site which the user wants to connect to, the user only inputs the number and pushes the hot key for mobile data service.  Korean government developed the number (WINC) for easy connection of independant mobile site, but it is hard for WINC service to be expanded because users must memorize each number in order to connect to independant mobile sites. 'open i' helps users connect to independant mobile site easily through providing search engine and directories which classified various independant sites. KTF and LGT do not provide the service simmilar to SKT's 'open i' yet.