MUMBAI: KTF, one of South Korea's prominent cellular providers, has launched a next-generation ultra-high speed 3.5G wireless network in Seoul and cities across South Korea using wireless broadband technology from LG-Nortel, a joint venture of LG Electronics and Nortel.

The network supports advanced handset capabilities including high-definition (HD) video, video chatting, messaging and remote monitoring, claims an official release.

The new 3.5G HSDPA, handset-based service is being launched with two handset models in the initial deployment - including the first HSDPA phone from LG Electronics, the LG-KH1000. A further four to five handsets are planned later in the year. KTF's new service is branded 'WorldPhone View', a name representing 'the world at your fingertips' through access to video and collaborative multimedia applications.

KTF's HSDPA mobile communications will be rolled out in 50 cities across South Korea beginning 30 June. LG-Nortel is the primary network supplier and is the exclusive vendor for 34 cities including the vast Seoul metropolitan area which alone accounts for almost 50 percent of the total population of Korea. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the country's population will be able to access the service by the end of August 2006. A further 34 cities will be added by year-end, raising that figure to over 90 percent of the population, according to KTF estimates, the release adds.

"The launch of our 'WorldPhone View' HSDPA service is a key component of KTF's portfolio of next-generation mobile services," says KTF EVP Won-Jin Park. "We chose LG-Nortel as the primary supplier for our UMTS/HSDPA network based on its strong technology credentials and our existing relationship. LG-Nortel has successfully implemented a world-class network which allows us to implement groundbreaking services as we enhance the mobile communications experience for all our customers."

"LG Nortel, with the strong support of our parent companies Nortel and LGE, has implemented a secure, reliable, high-speed network to support the innovative range of services and applications KTF is launching to its customers," says LG-Nortel chairman on the board Peter MacKinnon. "Korea leads the world in wireless broadband and LG-Nortel plays an integral role in ensuring the continuation of that success. We will work closely with KTF on the evolution of their network to support higher uplink speeds and ever-more sophisticated service requirements in the future."

A key differentiator of HSDPA compared to current technologies is its ability to support high-speed, real-time HD video content. 'WorldPhone View' users will be able to access a variety of new services, including video SMS, video ringtone services, video chatting, video ad messaging and video remote monitoring - as well as high-quality video telephony. High-speed broadband capabilities will also enhance music downloads and high-volume multimedia collaboration and set the foundation for more sophisticated online gaming applications.

The two HSDPA handsets being launched will also support universal integrated circuit (IC) cards, allowing access to secure transactions for transportation, membership, mobile banking and credit card services, informs the release.