KT pushing for iPad with WiMAX in Korea?
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Mon May 24, 2010
KT wants iPad on 4G in its country
KT is allegedly pushing for iPads with not just 3G but also built-in WiMAX, one brief note claimed today. In addition to pushing for the existing 3G version, the South Korean carrier purportedly wants a version for its 4G network. The unnamed Telecom Korea sources didn't say how close KT was to such an aim.
The practical reality of launching a WiMAX iPad is uncertain and could cast doubt on the rumor. Apple would need to produce a second version of the iPad with a WiMAX chipset, which would add costs but wouldn't significantly help its revenues in many areas. Outside of Korea, WiMAX has limited support and in North America only really has support through the fledgling Clearwire and Sprint networks. LTE would be a more likely candidate as many more carriers, including those in Korea, will use it for their 4G.
The same tips had also pointed to KT wanting an iPhone with WiMAX, which is less likely still as no prototypes or other leaks have pointed to anything but 3G.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2010
WiFi -> WiMax add-on?
Well, if KT wants WiMax that desperately, they can build a WiFi to WiMax repeater that would work like AT&T's MicroCell:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/att-3g-microcell-iphone-tower,news-4698.html
The 3G MicroCell is a horrible idea. Charge customers to do the work you should be doing instead? But for something exotic and bleeding edge like WiMax it might make sense. Customers who absolutely positively need WiMax could buy the repeater. And Apple wouldn't need to touch the iPad's electronics.