SK Telecom(President Jung Uck Seo), leading telecommunication provider of Korea has completed a Fiber Optic network linking switching units and base stations for cellular phone & paging services in 8 Mega cities around the nation. Based on this cutting-edge technology, SK Telecom is ready to provide new services like high-speed paging, two-way data transfer at better transmission quality.
After the establishment of Backbone Network Task Force in 1995, SK Telecom started the project in 1996 aimed at building nationwide Fiber Optic network covering 1,860 Km. In 1996, Seoul Metropolitan Fiber Optic network came into operation utilizing subway system, and as of December 1997, Fiber Optic network totaling 1,020 Km runs 12 systems at 2.5Gbps.
SK Telecom plans to put down 250 billion won on upgrading equipment and facility to better cope with swiftly changing telecommunications market. The company will expand the Fiber Optic network on a mid- to long-term basis, to be link-up with the Iridium Project around the end of 1998.
SK Telecom Paging services are now offered via the Koreasat 2, guaranteeing 99.9% paging reception rate. The company invested a total of 52 billion won and launched Satellite-based paging services in Seoul Metropolitan area and Pusan, South & North Chungchung province, Cheju Island area last July. Beginning this March Taegu, South & North Cholla Province and Kangwon area were also added, enabling SK Telecom to serve nationwide customers with enhanced satellite paging services.
With the completion of Fiber Optic cable network, SK Telecom is looking ahead to provide new services based on continuing R&D efforts which will first bear its fruit in next-generation mobile telecommunication IMT-2000 Project in near future