Tuesday, February 22, 2005 By Park Seung-jung http://english.etnews.co.kr/news/detail_top.html?id=200502220001&art_grad=9 In a bid to take leading position in the forthcoming 4th-generation mobile phone market, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics plan to concentrate their resources on developing new technologies and taking initiative in technology standardization activities. Seeing 3G wireless communication services are widely spread around the world and its technologies are considerably matured, these leading mobile phone makers anticipate that the market for 4G handsets will come forth in the near future. Under a strategy of continuing leading position in the 4G phone market following that for 2.5G and 3G, Samsung Electronics plans to funnel 420 billion won (approximately 407 million dollars), accounting for some 30% of its total R&D budget for this year, into development of 4G communication technologies and standardization activities. "A large portion of the investment will be injected into developing key technologies. The company will put concerted efforts for developing technologies while actively participating in international standardization initiatives," said Kim Un-seob, Vice CEO of Samsung Electronics. On top of its 165 researchers and specialists in 4G technologies, the company intends to continue recruiting specialists. Samsung Electronics will, in particular, demonstrate its leadership in 4G technologies at the 'Samsung 4G Forum 2005' set to be held in the third quarter in Jeju, in which it will discuss development path of 4G networks, 4G frequencies and interface. "Having obtained patents for some 220 4G-related technologies, the company aims to enhance leadership through 'Samsung 4G Forum' events. It will also develop core technologies by itself and in conjunction with other firms, research organizations and academia, while taking initiative in standardizing technologies capitalizing on 15 specialists in the company who are serving as chairmen of sub-committees in international standardization organizations," said a manager at Samsung Electronics. With a goal to take leadership in 4G technology era, LG Electronics plans to develop advanced technologies and actively participate in standardization programs The company will also reframe its R&D division, placing focus on intensifying 4G business rather than 2.5G and 3G business. It employed more than 50 researchers specializing in 4G technologies, and plans to increase the number of specialists to 100 by the end of this year. "Leadership landscape will be decided by the number of advanced technologies and application technologies developed. To address such a situation, the company will begin implementing short and long-term development projects this year," said Bae Jae-hun, Vice CEO of LG Electronics. LG Electronics will put focus on developing advanced technologies and standardization activities, investing 10 billion won this year. It will also draw up long-term plan for developing 4 technologies in the first half of this year. "LG Electronics will immerse in development of core 4G technologies, active participation in 4G international forums and IEEE activities, cooperation with domestic and foreign research organizations, and participation in government and industry-academia joint projects," said Choi Jin-seong, executive director and head of wireless communication technology research institute at LG Electronics. "In alliance with technology powerhouses such as NTT Docomo, Siemens and Nortel, the company will take initiative in standardizing technologies." |