KTF, 3 U.S. partners to develop package of wireless Internet gear

KTF Co., the second largest mobile carrier in Korea, said yesterday that it had struck an agreement with Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. to jointly develop and market KTF Mobile Application Test & Reference Center, or “K-MAC,” a package of wireless Internet technologies and software. KTF said the target customers would be communications corporations or governments. The new product is characteristic in that it encompasses not only hardware or software necessary for wireless Internet services, but also application programs, related systems, operation technologies and consulting services on business strategies, a KTF official said. Unlike the existing KTF platform, which supported only the mobile technology used in North America and Korea, namely code division multiple access, K-MAC supports the European counterpart global system for mobile communications, and its advanced form wideband code division multiple access standard, KTF said. Thus it sees K-MAC as an appropriate tool to expand to global markets without technological barriers. A platform is an underlying computer system to run application programs. The four companies that signed the memorandum of understanding agreed to formulate a steering committee for the global marketing of the product. Microsoft will provide operating system technology based on the Windows system and mobile service delivery platform. Hewlett Packard will contribute consulting services and hardware equipment such as server computers and storage devices. Intel will provide technology for system conversion for wireless Internet and technological verification services. by Kim Hyo-jin