SEOUL (WiMAX Day). At the opening of the Samsung Mobile WiMAX Summit 2006 yesterday, Samsung Electronics Co launched what it claims is the first “convergence” PDA device, which enables voice and multimedia connectivity for mobile WiMAX.

Kitae Lee, Samsung’s President of the Telecommunication Network Business stated at the conference that the devise “is just one of the few Mobile WiMAX convergence devices to be introduced to the world. Samsung will expand our portfolio of mobile convergence devices, as we expect to expand our global Mobile WiMAX services globally.”

The name of the devise carries the usual Samsung letter and numeral combination, in this case SPH-P9000, and is also named “Deluxe MITs.” It has the feel and weight of a mini-PC, or a large PDA, and can perform voice calls, video conferencing, Internet browsing, multimedia applications such as MP3 and video, and includes a 1.3 megapixel camera. The devise also features Microsoft Windows XP as the operating system.

The SPH-P9000 is unique because, in addition to providing a connection to a mobile WiMAX network, the PDA also has voice functions that can utilise CDMA EV-DO connectivity. Samsung stated at the conference that a GSM standard devise is also soon to be delivered, with functionality similar to the phones presently used for WiBro in Korea. WiBro is the brand for mobile WiMAX in Korea.

Samsung intends to launch the SPH-P9000 in Korea in the first half of 2007, and is reportedly in talks with networks in many countries to supply the SPH-P9000 and other convergence handsets.

Following the unveiling of the new Samsung devise, one of the key questions asked by attendees of the Mobile WiMAX Summit was how many WiMAX-enabled devises Samsung can ship to networks in the coming years.

Mr Kitae Lee and other Samsung executives cited a report from Yankee group that indicated the number of handsets that could be available in the next five years. The report said the number of mobile WiMAX subscribers will grow to 27.7 million by 2011, and that devises available for mobile WiMAX could grow to 32 million units.

Mobile WiMAX Summit
The conference, which began yesterday and will continue until Wednesday, will address many of the key concerns of mobile WiMAX executives, investors and shareholders, among them the market potential and business models.

The Mobile WiMAX Summit welcomed some 200 WiMAX industry leaders to Seoul from around the world. In his opening address to participants, Mr. Kitae Lee summarised the intent of the conference, “Mobile WiMAX is not only a revolutionary technology, but will also make the Internet truly ubiquitous for consumers by connecting all their communication devices. Through the Samsung Mobile WiMAX Summit, the technology’s vision and market potential can be explored and shared with all.”