Wireless communication technology with lighting fast 1Gbps being utilized in office, home environments and up to 1km remote locations.

South Korean MIC(Ministry of Information and Communication) just announced distribution of new frequency channels, local access UWB and 60 GHz bandwidth on July 10.

UWB(Ultra Wide Band) technology allows over 500MHz wide spectrum frequency communication band without cross-talk interference within 10 meters in speeds up to hundreds of Mbps. The new frequency channels announced by MIC are 3.1~4.8GHz(Low Band) and 7.2~10.2GHz(High Band) can be used in both indoor and outdoor without any separate communication permits.

The UWB can allow from 100 to 200 times faster transmissions than current Bluetooth technology(1Mbps). For instance, a 2-hour length video file from cell phone to another is possible within 10-meter distance. In addition, viewing wireless camcorder video recordings on digital TV and wireless data transfers to PC is possible with the UWB chip implant USB devices.

According to ABI Research group forecasts, from 2007 on, production levels in UWB chip ready-cell phone, PC and TV will reach over $1.3 billion dollars by year 2010. U.S. and Israel are offering the commercial services using UWB technology with their already finished development stages. In domestic Korea, with successful development and tests of MB-OFDM method UMB chips by ETRI(Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) in end of 2005 are working on developing data transfer rate up to 600Mbps to one Gbps by year 2008.

Meanwhile, with60Hz bandwidth, ultra fast 1-Gbps wireless data transfers are possible between different buildings up to 1-Km range. The announced MIC’s new frequency channel is 57 to 64 GHz and are does not require any permit due to its low output levels.

It is interesting since the new frequency channel((FACS: Flexible Access Common Spectrum) is open to anyone meeting the specification criteria. MIC expressed that with less regulation can promote further growth in the domestic market and give added convenience to users same time.

The 60GHz bandwidth in beginning stage will be utilized in wireless communications between buildings and campuses and later on even in individual level too.

Commercial 60GHz bandwidth system technology was developed by Terabeam(US) first and in South Korea Komotec and NRDTech came up with commercial products with rights from ETRI technology.

The current projection shows 60GHz bandwidth market will grow with full steam into over $5.2 Billion by year 2010 with standardization of WPAN(Wireless Personal Area Network) in 2007.

MIC’s broadcasting transmissions director Yong-Sup Shin said, “By end of this year the new technology will be completed and UWB Chips and related devices like cell phones, TV and PC will be in the market by early next year. The 60GHz communication medium will be utilized in our everyday life soon.”