The Future of Wireless Broadband in 2010

GROUP COMPOSITION

We are HSE-MBA students in Korea. Our Group comprises of:

Chan Gun Jeon
Hong-Kyu Ryu
Dong-Sik Chae

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS WIBRO?

Developed in South Korea, WiBro (Wireless Broadband) is the newest variety of mobile wireless broadband access. WiBro is based on the same IEEE 802.16 standard as WiMax, but is designed to maintain connectivity on the go, tracking a receiver at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour (60 km/h). WiMax is the current standard in the United States, offering wireless Internet connectivity to mobile users at fixed ranges of up to 31 miles (50 km) from the transmitting base. However, WiMax is not designed to be used while the receiver is in motion. WiBro can be thought of "mobile WiMax," though the technology and its exact specifications will change as it undergoes refinements throughout its preliminary stages.

Korean-based fixed-line-operators KT, SK Telecom and Hanaro Telecom were awarded licenses by the South Korean government to provide WiBro commercially. According to Asia Media News Daily, the Korean Times reported a glitch in the initial excitement of WiBro, as published 31 August 2005. Hanaro Telecom gave up its license for WiBro after concerns that the considerable investment required would not see a return, while SK Telecom was also said to be hanging back. Only KT remained enthusiastically committed in the push to make WiBro a reality. Meanwhile Samsung has shown great interest in providing devices with WiBro capability.

WiBro is expected to be widely deployed in South Korea by the middle of 2006. As it may become the 4G (4th Generation) wireless standard, the global market will be watching. WiBro will operate in the 2.3 gigahertz band and is interoperable with WiMax.

South Korea is one of the most connected nations in the world. Broadband Internet access is widespread via DSL, cable and WiFi. South Korea also led the world market in quickly commercializing 3G (3rd Generation) cellular services like CDMA2000, a faster version of the Code Division Multiple Access network. Like the United States, South Korea is one of the few nations to use the cellular CDMA network more prominently than the more widespread GSM (Global System for Mobile communications). With its great enthusiasm for wireless technology, Korea promises to provide a solid testing ground for WiBro. (From 'http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-wibro.htm')

WIBRO SERVICE

WiBro (Wireless Broadband) is a service that provides high-speed broadband communications in the mobile environment, anytime anywhere. WiBro is based on Mobile WiMAX technology, which is based on IEEE 802.16e TDD OFDMA standards. In February 2002, the Korean government allocated 100 MHZ of frequency spectrum in the 2.3GHz bandwidth. WiBro offers an aggregate data throughput of 20 to 30 Mbps from base stations with a cellsite radius of 1 km~5 km. Samsung and Korea Telecom showed the fully expanded coverage of WiBro services at the APEC 2005 Summit in Busan, South Korea (November 15~21, 2005).

And KT and SKTelecom had started their commercial services in serveral areas of Seoul at last 30th June. 2006 with PCMICA type terminal.(http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200511/kt2005111418171711880.htm)

Analysis of Wibro Industry & Competitions based on Porter's 5 Forces Model

Entry Barriers

Economies of scale
Proprietary product differences
Brand identity
Switching costs
capital requirements
Access to distribution
Absolute cost advantages
Proprietary learning curve
Access to necessary inputs
Proprietary low-cost product design
Government policy
Expected retaliation

Determinants of Supplier Power

Differentiation of inputs
Switching costs of suppliers and firms in the industry
Presence of substitute inputs
Supplier concentration
Importance of volume to supplier
Cost relative to total purchases in the industry
Impact of inputs on cost or differentiation
Threat of forward integration relative to threat of backward integration by firms in the industry

Determinants of Buyer Power