Korean iPhone beset by licensing obstacles
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Tue September 15, 2009
Apple could require second license
Despite the announcement of a deal by local carrier KT, a South Korean iPhone is still being held up by government licensing issues, says the Korea Times. The Korea Communications Commission has put a hold on approving the device, as a result of the phone's location-based services. In general, any company providing location-based information to Korean customers must have a special license. Companies are often prodded to situate appropriate servers in the country, even though it is not a strict legal requirement.
KCC commissioners continue to debate whether Apple even needs the license, as the data collected by the iPhone -- which omits personal identification -- may be considered less than critical, not requiring a local server. An official suggests in fact that the KCC will likely side with Apple, although the body still needs time to decide on a ruling. The delay is believed to be keeping Apple and KT from finalizing initial shipment numbers, as well as subsidized prices.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
The Koreans are busy
protecting their own interests. The longer they can keep the iPhone out of circulation, the more money their own companies can make. It's understandable that LG and Samsung don't want competitors. The word is that the iPhone is not nearly sophisticated enough for Korean users since it doesn't have a user facing video camera for video-conferencing. I don't know if Korean users are heavily into eWallet but they did watch DMB TV until the financial crunch came about. I need to do some research on what Korean users demand in cellphones. I don't think they have to have physical keyboards. On all the serial dramas they're likely using haptic touch AnyCall keyboardless phones if that means anything.