Webphone Service Will be Launched in May

A commercial service, dubbed the 'webphone', which combines the function of the Internet with a mobile phone, will be launched from May 1.
SK Telecom is beginning a webphone service that can send data twice as rapidly as regular cellular phones can. SK and Hansol PCS' subscribers can access information on various topics including news, entertainment, and sports through webphones, anywhere and anytime on its own Internet site.
Korea Telecom Freetel and LG Telecom are also launching webphone services that will allow their subscribers to access the Internet through their cell phones.
Therefore, mobile phone service companies are forecasted to intensely fight over the wireless data service market.
Domestic cell-phone manufacturers are busy selling new webphones: Samsung Electronics and Daewoo already developed the 'Duet' and the 'Webphone', respectively, and LG is going to unveil its 'Smartphone' in May.
Jangsoo Seo:jsbee@joongang.co.kr