SK Telecom ¡®T-PAK¡¯ Installed in Motorola Phones

The first integrated mobile user interface (UI) platform developed by a wireless operator will be installed into Motorola phones.

SK Telecom said on Monday that it would co-developed with Motorola an integrated wireless Internet UI platform ‘T-PAK’ to introduce phones installed with the platform in the second quarter of next year.

The company earlier unveiled a prototype with Pantech, but this is the first time that the integrated wireless UI platform is adopted for mobile phones.

The deal is expected to affect Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which have been vehemently opposing adoption of the platform developed by a wireless operator.

T-PAK allows wireless operators to change mobile UIs as well as data service offerings such as access to the wireless Internet, content download. It combines the existing platforms into a global package so as to provide push-type standby screens.

Motorola has become the first mobile phone manufacturer to adopt the wireless operator-led UI platform. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been opposing adoption of T-PAK, citing the platform would hurt differentiation of handsets, but they may be put under pressure now that Motorola works with SK Telecom.

The partnership is also expected to help the wireless operator to expand into overseas markets. SK Telecom has been in a deal with TI of U.S. to expand into the wireless Internet market in Europe, and announced last month a plan to install T-PAK into ‘OMAP’ chipset developed by TI.

“Interest is growing on adoption of T-PAK into chipsets among wireless operators at home and abroad, and we are now confident about overseas expansion,” said a manager at SK Telecom. “Mobile phone makers are also mulling over cooperation instead of remaining against adoption.”

Source- http://english.etnews.co.kr