By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff Reporter


Samsung Electronics, the world’s third-largest cell phone vendor, looks to transform fourth generation (4G) phones into interpreters and portable doctors.

Samsung president Lee Ki-tae, who is in charge of the company’s telecom division, disclosed the plan in an article he contributed to The Korea Times. The entire article will be printed in the Times’ anniversary special on Nov. 1.

``A 4G device would act as a simultaneous interpreter. The 4G device should break down communication barriers by providing translation and interpretation functions,’’ the 57-year-old wrote.

He added that a function for recognizing various sign languages and converting them into spoken language will also be introduced.

The 4G technologies refer to a next-generation wireless access solution, which promises an ultra high-speed mobile connection to the Internet for people on the move.

There is no consensus definition for the speed of 4G, an evolution from the currently burgeoning 3G, but experts point out that its velocity must be faster than even today’s fixed-line hookup.

The data transmission speed of 4G is expected to reach up to 100 megabits per second, hundreds of times faster than today’s mobile Internet, and 1Gbps at a standstill.

The lightning-fast 4G is projected to be ready for widespread use by 2010 and Samsung Electronics aims to dictate the trend by holding the 4G Forum every year, spearheaded by the 4G visionary, president Lee.

Lee also predicted the handsets would develop into a go-anywhere health monitor by 2009.

``A mobile phone three years from now will become a portable doctor and omnipotent medical device enabling the user to check his or her health condition from home, work or anywhere around the world,’’ Lee said.

He gave the example of health checkup devices that are incorporated into cell phones, which can gauge the handset owner’s blood pressure or diabetes count and transmit the data to their physicians wirelessly.

``Upon receiving the data, the physicians will be able to make a diagnosis and send back the results to the device,’’ Lee predicted.

In addition, Lee said two-way communications between wireless broadcasters and viewers through the handheld gadget will debut during next year’s World Cup in Germany.

Terminals for interactive terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) were already unveiled during exhibitions earlier this year like the IFA 2005 held in Berlin, Germany.

One-way terrestrial DMB, which allows people on the go to savor seamless video and theater-quality audio for free, will be launched in Korea in December before going full-way next year in Germany.

Lee projected the interactive service will bring compelling features like m-commerce, which will revolutionize the way people make purchases.

``If a viewer is interested in the clothes worn by a certain character in a soap opera, the viewer can simply push a button and receive the information about the clothes,’’ Lee said.

``If he or she wishes to make a purchase, the same device would take him or her to a (Internet) shopping mall right away (on the cell phone),’’ he added.

Lee’s contribution will be printed in the Nov. 1 edition on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of The Korea Times.

voc200@koreatimes.co.kr