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legalquestions
Joined: 25 Mar 2007
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 Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject: Blackberry or new iPhone work in Korea yet? |
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| I heard a couple of months ago that Korea was gonna change their law/technology so that Blackberry phones and the new iPhone can be used on their cell phone networks. Does anybody know if this has happened yet? Can you use them here? |
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keseki
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
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red_devil
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| No, i bet the iPhone is at least a year off but may never come. Korean manufacturers have significant lobbyists, i doubt they'll change the WI-BRO. |
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ppcg4
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:17 am Post subject: |
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http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=455234
Check out post #10.
I have a 3G iPhone that I roamed with here for a month without issue (only 3,000 won per minute!). I also have a SIM unlock chip, since a soft unlock isn't available yet.
I talked to a gilr who works for Apple Korea, and she said something about KTF carrying it within the next few months, but I seriously doubt her source.
When I went to get a SIM card for my iPhone (when I believed it would work here), I brought my friend, and the guy explained how the Korean telecom providers lock access to the network, so that only models of choice can connect. I was LIVID. Having this thing work on 3G with GPS and Google Maps would be heaven. I can still use Maps, but I have to be near a WIFI hotspot. South Korea isn't covered much by Google Maps either, and there are few to no street names in Seoul.
Overall, waste of about $1200 (cancellation fee, cost of phone, and bills).
I have heard some rumblings that they may open their precious systems to dirty foreign phones here sometime, but I wouldn't hold my breath. |
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chuckster
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 6:01 am Post subject: |
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| I've talked with some people in the IT department at KTF and they tell me they are working on an iphone to be used in Korea. Even though the Korean government has been hesitant to open up the market by allowing platforms other than WiBro, it looks very likely that they will open it up by early next year. According to these guys, it's very likely the iphone and blackberries will be coming into the market here very soon. |
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red_devil
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:37 am Post subject: |
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KTF has not even signed a deal with Apple. Your sources in the IT department have no "inside" information they're being optimistic. I hardly doubt the CEO would be sharing that kind of information with some engineers...  |
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keseki
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| WIBRO and WIPI are two completely different things. the issue here is WIPI, and it looks as though its on its way out. |
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xpat
Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Location: Kangnam baby
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
WIPI, short for "Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability", is a middleware platform used in South Korea that allows mobile phones, regardless of manufacturer or carrier, to run applications. Much of WIPI is based on Java, but it also includes the ability to download and run compiled binary applications as well.
The specification was created by the Mobile Platform Special Subcommittee of the Korea Wireless Internet Standardization Forum (KWISF). The South Korean government requires that all cellular phones sold in that country include the WIPI platform. This has prevented most foreign manufacturers from selling their phones in Korea, and handed most of the market to local manufacturers like LG and Samsung. The government recently revised its rules to allow low-cost phones using 3G (third generation) mobile phone technology to be sold without the WIPI platform, but only if they do not have internet functionality.
The WIPI requirement is currently under intense pressure due to the Apple Inc. iPhone, which is highly coveted but cannot be sold legally due to it lacking WIPI.[1] WIPI is the main reason blocking the iPhone 3G from coming to Korea. There is an atmosphere of antipathy within the government about it. WIPI is viewed as a protectionist system that is blocking the development of information technology in Korea.[2] The KCC, the government body in charge of licensing, is current reviewing the WIPI requirement, and has granted several waivers in the past.[3] |
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chuckster
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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| red_devil wrote: |
| KTF has not even signed a deal with Apple. Your sources in the IT department have no "inside" information they're being optimistic. I hardly doubt the CEO would be sharing that kind of information with some engineers... |
Who said a deal was signed? Considering that they were working hands on with an iphone, I'd tend to believe they had some inside info. |
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legalquestions
Joined: 25 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:00 am Post subject: |
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| yeah, I guess money (ie, lobbyists at the Korean national assembly) talks! No way the cell phone carriers/providers here (and the phone companies - LG and Samsung) are gonna allow Blackberry and iPhone to come in and compete with them. No, wouldn't be prudent! |
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keseki
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| ^ umm the cell phone carriers actually want blackberry and iphones. a lot of their revenue off these phones comes from the data plans they sell with them. |
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chuckster
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
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