KT accuses SKT of 'deceiving' customers
This SK Telecom advertisement demonstrates that the mobile carrier is the world’s first to commercialize its tri-band LTE-A technology. / Korea Times
Injunction filed against ad on 3-band LTE-A service
By Kim Yoo-chul
KT filed an injunction with a court to force SK Telecom (SKT) to drop its advertisement for what it claims is the world’s first commercialization of a tri-band LTE-A wireless network.
"Our legal team filed the injunction with the Seoul Central District Court Saturday, asking for a complete ban on SK Telecom's ads for their tri-band LTE-A technology," spokeswoman Lee Sun-young said.
KT called for SKT to stop the “deceptive marketing schemes.”
In response, SKT said it will review legal papers submitted by KT and will take counteractions, if necessary.
The company said earlier said it had succeeded in commercializing the tri-band LTE-A wireless network, which is three times faster than the current LTE-A service, for the first time in the world.
The tri-band service can allow users to download a 1 gigabyte (GB) movie in only 28 seconds. It is known as an essential step toward a fifth generation (5G) service.
KT said in a statement that SKT is misleading the public with its “false” press releases and marketing activities. It claims that the service is only a pilot program, not yet available for ordinary customers.
"SK Telecom’s abnormal marketing practices to deceive customers will trigger abusive competition and ultimately hurt customers’ interest," KT said in a statement.
It added that SK’s claim to the first commercialization of the faster mobile network was based on a test on 100 Samsung Electronics Galaxy Note handsets.
KT claims that Samsung Electronics has yet to notify both the factory and retail price of the Galaxy handsets that offer tri-band LTE-A, noting that the company has not started marketing the handset.
"It’s therefore absurd for SK Telecom to claim that it has succeeded in commercializing the tri-band LTE-A service,” another KT official said.
Samsung Electronics also provided KT with 100 Galaxy Note 4 handsets that offer tri-band LTE-A services, the official said.
Speed is a crucial element for all of mobile carriers as it is the barometer to measure the capability of technology advancement.
A faster network means greater opportunities in the upcoming era of Internet of Things.
In response, SK said its "world's first" title is still effective, citing the latest report by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA).
"In a report released last week by GSA titled, Evolution to LTE Report, SKT was introduced as the only telecom service provider that has commercialized the tri-band LTE-A," SK said in a statement.
GSA said in the report that: "SK Telecom has built LTE base stations using the 2.1 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum. The world's first tri-band LTE-Advanced service was commercially launched by SK Telecom on December 29, 2014."
SKT said it has spectrum holdings in the 800 megaherz (MHz) and 1800MHz bands and has developed technology that can combine three blocks ― 20MHz, 10MHz and 10MHz ― across these bands to support speeds of up to 300Mbps.
A spokesman said GSA-managed reports are one of the main sources for discussions and reviews about today's wireless technology among major media outlet and industries at key seminars and forums.
However, KT downplayed SK's argument, claiming the GSA report was just mimicking of SK's press release.