Video Phone Era Arrives

The number of subscribers of South Korea’s 3G mobile phones, which allow users to make two-way, face-to-face video calls, topped five million.

The major telecommunication firms, KTF and SK Telecom, said on December 14 that the number of 3G mobile phone users reached 2.9 million and 2.2 million, respectively, as of December 13, 2007.

The combined number of the two mobile phone firms’ subscribers could be as high as 5.1 million. This figure rose rapidly from 330,000 users in March earlier this year, suggesting that 3G phone users have come to account for one in every eight mobile phone subscribers in just nine months.

With the growth of 3G phones that allow video calls, many people are paying close attention as to whether the existing telephone era will give way to the “viewing phone era.”

What’s the Difference?-

A 36-year-old businessman known by his family name Choi, often speaks and listens to conversations with his daughter at home over a video phone when he is unable to get home early.

He stated, “My children used to ask me to come home early, but since I’ve started to use a video phone they whine less.”

3G video-phone calling capabilities are now being utilized towards profits for various companies. A cosmetic clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam-gu now provides prognoses for patients using video phone technology.

SK Telecom and KTF said that the number of video phone users amounts to 1.5 million, or 30 percent, out of the total five million mobile phone users.

Most advertisements provided by mobile telecommunication operators have been geared towards video phone calling capabilities.

Since video phones’ charges are higher than those of standard calls, SK Telecom and KTF expect that revenues from phone charges will also increase. In fact, it is estimated that the monthly payments of phone service charges of 3G users are 15 to 30 percent higher than the average payments of mobile subscribers.

Major Obstacles for Common Uses of Video Phones-

As for 3G marketing strategies, SK Telecom believes that video phones will be used by people in their close relationships.” An SK official added that this may imply that people without close personal relationships are not as likely to use video phones.

NTT DoCoMo, the largest cellular network in Japan, has provided video phone service for the past few years. The firm introduced service with 3D talking characters built into the NTT DoCoMo services, but the venture failed.

In fact, among the nine billion total calls of SK telecom users in a month, video phone calls account for only about 40,000 to 50,000 calls.

Many people complain about the phones’ inability to allow for conversation in mass transport vehicles such as buses and subways.

Some humanities scholars provide their analysis, saying, “People are not accustomed to speaking over the phone while watching the other user’s face. They are likely to be reluctant to use such devices.”

Youngsan University philosophy professor Kim Yong-seok said, “People are likely to

‘feel the so-called pain of being exposed’ when they see their features on mobile phones.”

Communication expert Na Young-eun of Sogang University analyzed, “The demand of 3G video phones will be limited to the relationship with rare opportunities for in-person interactions. One task to resolve is the frequent technical disruptions when calls are made on the go.”

Regarding this, Ji Dong-seop, Executive Director of SK Telecom marketing strategies, said, “There are increasing demands for overseas roaming, and wireless internet among 3G services. Video phones will represent 3G mobile services in the future, and overseas roaming is expected to become another major revenue source.”

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