SK Telecom announced on January 12, 2011 that the company plans to launch commercial LTE (Long Term Evolution) service in Seoul, Korea in July 2011, according to the Telecoms Korea. It is reported that metropolitan area and other six cities will have access to LTE service by 2012. SK Telecom plans to expand the LTE service to the entire nation in 2013. Initial device for SK Telecom's LTE service is projected to be a data modem. Financial details of the LTE investment are not yet disclosed.

In related news, LG Uplus plans to launch its LTE service in the third quarter of 2011 in Seoul, according to the same source.