KT to Release FMC Services

‘QOOK & SHOW’ could reduce voice call charges by up to 34.8 percent

KT said it will launch the “QOOK & SHOW,” fixed mobile convergence (FMC) services combining Hanaro mobile telecom and Internet telephony that can reduce communications charges by up to 34.8 percent on Oct. 20.
KT Corp. Chairman and CEO Lee Suk-chae held a news conference at the KT Art Hall in downtown Seoul on Oct. 14 to explain the release of “QOOK & SHOW.” He said, “The new FMC services will allow subscribers to use Internet telephones via mobile phones, and youth using lots of wireless data and people who use wireless Internet services for a living are expected to benefit.”
QOOK & SHOW subscribers can use 010-mobile phones via the 3G WCDMA network on the move while they can make calls via the Internet in WiFi-connected areas.
According to KT officials, FMC subscribers could save 88 percent in wireless Internet charges and 34.8 percent in voice calls on a monthly basis.
For instance, subscribers who make an average of 170 minutes of telephone calls monthly could lower their charges to 6,522 won if they make half of the calls via Internet telephones.
KT will offer four versions of the QOOK & SHOW mobile phone (SPH-M7200) -- “i-Slim,” “i-Light,” “i-Medium” and “i-Premium” -- ranging in price from 35,000 won to 950,000 won.
Starting next month, KT will jump into the convergence service market in earnest by releasing the world’s first “3W” convergence services combining WiBro, WiFi and 3-G WCDMA.
Related to this, KT Chairman Lee has calmed possible worries over a setback in profits stemming from aggressive pushes for its FMC products for households, citing the huge growth potential in the FMS segment.
“KT may suffer from a decline in profits caused by its new strategy for FMC-related businesses. But we could offset this as KT is set to grow in terms of the volume of products in the telecom market,” Lee told the press conference.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a launching event for KT’s first-ever FMC products for general consumers.
“I can say the successful launching of such products comes from the merger with KTF.”
“KT will put more focus on the FMC-related businesses to maintain sustainability amid the telecom industry’s convergence moves. The new segment matches KT’s growth strategy and next business model,” the chairman said.
Lee has expected the data telephony market to boom, helping the company increase the number of subscribers in FMC services, and seeks additional profits through such data downloading businesses as an application store.
KT decided to step up efforts to share wireless LANs with foreign telecom service providers in order to help Korean subscribers utilize mobile services abroad with ease. Using the services, they can make mobile telephone calls via Internet telephony at cheaper prices overseas.
Under the plan, content and services between separate terminals will be connected and they will be further expanded to home networks starting in 2011.
Chairman Lee said if KT had not merged with KTF, it would have been impossible to offer the new FMC services.
Lee Kyong-soo, chief of KT Convergence WiBro Business Division, said exclusive programs will be developed to help iPhone subscribers use QOOK internet telephones. nw

Photo above is a view of the 6th Mixed and Bake Bakery Store on the first basement floor of Time Square, a huge shopping mall in Yeongdungpo, Seoul, recently opened. Photo below is the 12th Seven Springs Restaurant opened recently on the first basement floor of Time Square.