Generation UMTS

20th January , 2004

ASIA : Pace setting mobile operator SK Telecom has contracted Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. to provide next generation data core network equipment for its CDMA network. The carrier has deployed the Samsung Mobile Access Gateway 400 (SMAG 400 which is Starent Networks Corporation's ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway INSET ABOVE ) as a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN).

SK Telecom is considered one of the world's most progressive mobile operators, delivering many first-to-market technologies and advanced services. SK Telecom has over 18 million subscribers on its CDMA network, making it Korea's largest mobile operator.

The SMAG 400 (Starent ST16) has been deployed in SK Telecom's CDMA2000 1X and CDMA2000 1X EV-DO network. The product enables SK Telecom to provision data services at speeds up to 2.4Mbps. With the high-speed capabilities of the network, subscribers will have access to a wide variety of services, such as Video Messaging, Video Phone, VOD (Video On Demand), MOD (Music On Demand), MP3 downloads, mobile TV, and many others.

"SK Telecom is focused on providing our subscribers a superior communications experience," said Joo Sik Lee, Ph.D. vice president, SK Telecom. "As a result, we require network solutions that provide tremendous service flexibility, high availability, and technical innovation. We tested many leading vendor solutions, Samsung's Starent-based platform excelled in all aspects against our very high standards."

The SMAG 400 has been deployed in the Seoul metro area. The network is now live. This contract follows on the recent selection of Samsung/Starent to provide core data network equipment for SK Telecom's deployment of a new IMT-2000 W-CDMA network.

Rigorous Testing

As part of its selection criteria, SK Telecom put the SMAG 400 through its comprehensive product certification process. This process consisted of two phases. The first was a comprehensive lab test that included nine functional categories. These categories include: basic platform function, call processing, accounting, robust statistics, redundancy, capacity, call transaction (call set-up and tear down), throughput, and manageability (ease of use). The final results placed the SMAG 400 as the highest scoring next generation PDSN tested with a near perfect score.

"Working with SK Telecom is very rewarding as they continue to push the technology envelope and deploy compelling services for their subscribers," said Ashraf Dahod, president and CEO of Starent Networks Corporation. "This win is key validation for our solution and the vision we have for next generation networks."

The Starent ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway has rapidly become the preferred next generation solution for mobile operators with CDMA-based networks. Designed specifically for the mobile environment, the ST16 acts as the gateway between the wireless network and core IP network. The system offers enhanced mobility, multimedia service delivery, high capacity, superior accounting and billing, carrier-class reliability and a clear migration to an all-IP network. Furthermore, the ST16 is unique in its ability to provision data, voice and integrated voice and data, moving the mobile network to a truly next generation architecture.

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom is Korea's leading provider of information and telecommunications services spanning Mobile Services, M-Commerce, overseas operations and subsidiaries. SK Telecom's SPEED 011 and SPEED 010, Korea's leading cellular service brand, NATE wireless Internet service and multimedia service, which offers Video Phone, VOD (Video On Demand) and AOD (Audio On Demand) for CDMA2000 mobile phone users, are providing unrestricted access to communication anytime, and anyplace. SK Telecom already has established a presence in China, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and the USA. The company, which has extensive experience and technology related to first-generation analogue and second-generation CDMA wireless communications, is leading the race to develop the third-generation IMT-2000 system and services.

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