Achieving Ubiquitous Society

Following article was contributed by President Lee Ki-tae of Samsung Electronics information and communication division and translated into English by NewsWorld staff.-Ed.

Lately, the realization of 4th generation technology is on every one? lips in the information and communication sector. 4G means next generation in the information and communication area, especially mobile communication. The technology has been drawing such a sharp attention within the industry because it would be the base technology for moving into a ubiquitous society, which is the ultimate end of the current revolutionary effort to develop the 4G technology. It is the common view of experts that the realization of 4G would lead to ubiquitous society, which will change our life style beyond imagination.
To understand the changes to be ushered in by 4G technology, we need an explanation of the technology first.
Today's changes in mobile communication technology can be explained by tracing the history of mobile phones. To review the history of mobile phone development, first generation was analog, second generation digital, and third generation multi-media centering on data. The current stage of world mobile communication ranges from 2.5 to 3G technology with the technology development standing at 3.5 G ready to jump to 4G in terms of technology progress. Korea is at the forefront of 3.5 G in the world, which is called Wibro (wireless broadband) often quoted in many papers around the world or HSDPA. HSDPA is technology that helps speeds up mobile communication service in a drastic manner and facilitates the exchange of screen images and massive volumes of data. Wibro is a mobile Internet technology, which gives screen and data communication abilities to mobile communication, which is limited to voice communication.
Fourth generation mobile communication has been attracting so much attention because when it is developed completely, it would provide voice, screen, and data to mobile phones and such exchange is possible whenever and wherever on unlimited basis. Such free information exchange is basic to a ubiquitous society. The realization of a ubiquitous society is possible when the information communication network through 4G is formed to enable free exchange of information whenever and wherever possible. For this reason, The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) came up with its definition that 4G mobile communications should generate more than 100bps in speed, when it is moving more than 60 km per hour and more than 1Gbps when immobile. In motion, it is 50 times the speed of WCDMA serviced by 3G technology and when immobile, it is 10 times the speed of high speed Internet serviced wire communication. This means that IMT-2000 would be able to generate that much speed in communication if it is to become a basic information communication network for a ubiquitous society.
It is difficult to paint a full picture of what is to come in the age of 4G due to the rapid speed of development, but we can draw up a picture based on our imagination and projection for what we are striving to create. Particularly so when 4G will be the basic technology for the age of ubiquitous society. We can guess the changes in our life style in the ubiquitous age.
The biggest change would be the realization of a perfect information communication network, which will enable triple play service (TPS) including voice, screen and data exchange through ALL-IP, which is often expressed as "seamless.'The realization of the communication network implies the convergence of digital, camera and MP3 phones with broadcasting and communication, and its development into wire and wireless service convergence.
For example, it is possible to communicate with a wire system at home and use wireless system outside the home to communicate, watch TV, use the Internet, watch movies and listen to music. While moving in a car, one can download a movie in the matter of tens of seconds and watch it immediately.
Pictures will be so perfect that one can count hairs. While on travel overseas, one can send messages wirelessly and receive responses. Also, video conferences can be made three dimensions and the person talking appears to be standing next to the mobile phone holder. These are scenes from sci-fi films, but we will be able to see them right in front of us.
There will be various forms of terminals in the age of the 4G; one that looks like a wristwatch, mobile phone, one that can be rolled up and rolled back, a display looks like a pair of eye glasses and other wearable types as well as flexible ones. It will be the same with input equipment. There will be equipment easier to make input than QWERTY type keyboards, along with those that resemble hologram displays. By then, mobile phones will be all-in-one equipment acting as a hub for information communication network. Mobile phones can have all kinds of forms with the progress in function so much so that it may be called in other names because it is the age when every thing is possible with a terminal.
Cell phones are expected to be turned into an integrated ubiquitous terminal and will be able to watch TV, measure calisthenics activity, blood pressure, blood sugar as they will function as camera, MP3, and DMB as an integrated terminal. They will be able to store various information and data and users can use them in addition to acquiring traffic information, weather forecasts and disaster information. It also will be able to control all other equipment as a central terminal. A home network is a very good example. It will be able to check if gas burners have been shut off when outside homes, if the doors are locked, in addition to turning off TV, refrigerators, air conditioners. It will also be able to shut off gas valves from outside homes. It will also enable to watch classroom lessons from homes without going to school. It will also enable to watch lectures held overseas.
It will also help company officials on overseas trips take care of company business in the country and they don't even have to go to office because they can take care of company business from home. The same is true with taking medical check ups without going to clinics, financial transactions and administrative services.
The communication systems will become more convenient. For example, the viewers will be able to exchange communication through DMB broadcasting. The system will have a test-run during the Germany World Cup next year when 'IFA 2005'for broadcasting and home appliances exhibition is held. The 4G terminals will also provide the function as simultaneous interpreter. They will automatically translate and interpret foreign languages, lessening the communication difficulties with foreigners. They will also translate body language into words.
In the age of 4G, paper tickets will be of no use and disappear replaced by electronic tickets including passports, which will help ease airport boarding processes. After three years, cell phone users will be able to check their health conditions from home and during overseas travel as if accompanied by a doctor. Shopping can also be done through a two-way DMB service. If a viewer likes the clothes worn by a performer on TV, he can click the button to get information on the attire and move to a cyber shopping mall and buy it as if they were in a real store.
It is hard to imagine now, but the main characteristics of the 4G age is the life style change under ubiquitous surrounding shaped by intelligent computers. In the age of ubiquitous, one can get service from computers accessible anywhere in a society. The work of intelligent computers is possible through the help of intelligent computers, which are linked to 4G technologies.
In the end, when 4G mobile communication is commercialized worldwide and take a deep root in society, the entire world will come under one network. When you have a 4G mobile phone, you can communicate with any party with a mobile phone as if standing next by each other through a three-dimensional video conference. If you have a terminal you can go anywhere in the world and make phone calls, use the Internet and watch TV. There could be more changes beyond our imagination and they will be created with our efforts. nw

President Lee Ki-tae delivers speech at the Samsung Electronics 4G Forum.