By Cho Jin-seo
Staff Reporter
The so-called third-generation (3G) mobile is fast becoming the de facto standard of mobile telephony, with more than 5 million signing up for KTF's ``Show'' brand in only 14 months.
The company said Sunday that Show continues to draw subscribers at a rapid pace, adding more than 2 million users over the past four months. The net increase in ``Show'' users was 609,185 in March, the largest ever.
It is the fastest expansion of a 3G service in the world, the firm said ― it took 22 months for U.S. telecom giant AT&T to reach the same stage last October.
```Show' has positioned itself as a leading 3G brand thanks to the love of 5 million customers,'' Cho Young-chu, CEO of KTF, said in a release. ``We will keep trying hard to be loved by 10 million customers.''
Cho celebrated the landmark event by presenting a 5-million won ($5,000) mobile phone coupon to the lucky 5 millionth subscriber.
KTF is the second largest mobile carrier with some 13.9 million users, compared to 22.3 million of SK Telecom. But KTF has led the 3G sector from the beginning. SK Telecom has about 4.5 million 3G users, making the total almost 10 million in South Korea.
The 3G mobile services of the two companies use a relatively new network platform known as WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). It differs little from older mobile services in terms of voice quality but provides faster data transmission for more complicated functions such as mobile Internet and video calling.
Another attraction of the WCDMA phones is easier roaming. Since the system is compatible in most developed nations, WCDMA users can take their handsets overseas.
Such versatility has been a big advantage not only to customers but also for KTF. Because it charges extra fees for video calls, mobile Internet and global roaming, KTF has seen a significant increase in revenue from the transition from 2G to 3G. An average 3G phone user pays about 13,000 won more than an average 2G user, the firm estimates.
KTF says that the global mobile industry is reshaping itself into the 3G. It is also expected to easily reach the annual target of 7.7 million 3G users.
Not every telecom company has embraced 3G technology. LG Telecom, the smallest of the top three mobile operators, has opted to improve its existing network systems rather than invest in building a new 3G network.