ASIA : SEOUL - Two South Korean cell phone operators are set to start third-generation (3G) mobile services based on European-backed technology late this month, according to the companies.

The wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) network, one of two main 3G technologies available, offers access to the Internet, music downloads and streaming video at five to 25 times the speed of current second-generation (2G) mobile networks.

If SK Telecom Co and KTF Co launch the new service as planned, it will make South Korea the fifth nation to have the 3G network, after Japan, Britain, Italy and Australia.

But, this month's commercial debut is not what the two carriers had previously promised. In final test-runs, users complained of spotty Internet connections with bulky handsets. Besides short network coverage, those attempting to make voice calls grapple with drop when they are on the move.

Adding to the problem is expensive handset prices. Currently only two handsets, manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Inc, are available. The cost ranges from 800,000 won (US$674) to 1 million won, the companies said.

"In terms of speed and quality, the W-CDMA service isn't different from the current high-speed cell phone network," said Cho Shin, vice president of SK Telecom, South Korea's biggest mobile phone operator.

SK Telecom has been selling faster mobile phone service based on CDMA2000 1X EV-DO (evolution data optimized). The technology, an offspring of Qualcomm's CDMA network, is now competing with W-CDMA for the 3G technology standard around the world.

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Copyright 2003, Asia Times Online