I’ve been doing a little investigating over the last few days, calling friends in Cupertino and talking with friends from KT here in Korea.
As most people have worked out already, the news earlier this week reporting that the iPhone will be coming to Korea in July was fake. It is not true.
What is more interesting is the alleged comments from official KT executives about the iPhone. They claim they do not want to bring “outdated” telephones into Korea. Interesting. Sony launched their phone here in Korea a few months ago, it was last years model. So what is so “out of date” about the iPhone 3G? It is still on sale all over the world. It is NOT out of date.
What I have found out is that KT are reluctant to sell the iPhone for the price of W150,000 for the 3G and W300,000 for the 3G S. They are also worried about the loss of revenue from internet access. As far as Apple are concerned there are no talks happening at the moment, and there are no plans for the iPhone in Korea now or in the future.
This is very sad news.
I have noticed that there is a mini ‘Apple wave’ going on in Korea. Walking past coffee shops there are now so many people using Apple laptops, on the subway I see an increasing number of iPods, and when talking about anything Apple, people seem so interested. What I cannot understand is why KT cannot see this.
Korea is suffering for trying to go it alone in the world of the internet. Active X (I think that’s right) has meant that Apple products and alternative browsers such as Firefox do not work with Korean online banking services and makes working with Cyworld (Korea’s number 1 online mini homepage community) very difficult. Many Korean websites still use this outdated application which means Korean internet users are locked into Microsoft Explorer.
Things need to change. Internet and telecom companies need to start being more open (and more honest) with their customers. They need to update their software and start joining the rest of the world. Korea is a globalised country, it is dynamic and amazing, yet some it’s larger companies are restricting access to the new world.
So all I can say is: please KT, stop protecting Samsung and LG. Bring in the iPhone and force Samsung and LG to reduce their prices and stop ripping off Korean cell phone users.
wow .. i’m just amazed that everything you said is true
By: Denny Lee on June 28, 2009
at 11:57 am
Hello,
I’m from korea^^
many people want a iPhone..
but KT or another telecom want to use only their system .. (software, program..and internet..)
It is bad news..
By: hyun on July 11, 2009
at 3:49 am
Thanks for the update. Been trying to dig up the truth but was only getting the run around and old news with google search.
By: B. Luis Grey on August 11, 2009
at 10:31 pm
it’s so true! they think technology is korea is advanced but yet they are still using PCs which is totally primitive! lol mac is so much better, and i dont know why they can’t ssee that!
By: sunny on September 8, 2009
at 2:02 am
I don’t know how I got your site, but your posts are awesome. I couldn’t think any other things, and even didn’t put my hand on a mouse. some ways you think are exactly same as what I think.
However I’m in Canada, I’m happy with the news that iphone is going to come in Korea.
I just want to thank you for your posts.
By: Chan on November 23, 2009
at 12:33 pm
Do you live in Korea? How do you know the detail things like what’s going on in the market?
I totally agree with your comments…
What do you think about Androids flatform strategy competiting against Apple? SKT seems to be reluctant to open network business even though KT chose Apples…
By: James on November 30, 2009
at 8:58 am
Hi James,
Yes, I live in Korea. I have lived here since 2002.
I have an interest in the Korean telecommunications market, and part of my work is doing business analysis. Most of the information I have I received from friends in the US, who either work at Apple or have friends who work at Apple.
As for Android, I think SKT is making a mistake. the Android OS is suffering from a lack of application developers. The big money is in developing apps for iPhone.
From what I hear, Android is a good OS, it’s just the lack of apps that will kill it in Korea.
The iPhone’s success is largely because of their apps store. Without that, the iPhone would just be another smart phone. Apple were very clever here because they have locked in their customers.
By: Carl on November 30, 2009
at 5:01 pm