pendent on the propagation characteristics of the copper local loop. Fibre to the home or curb, typically via cable TV. Fixed wireless access. In addition, access via satellite is theoretically feasible - failed low earth orbit (LEO) systems such as Teledesic were to offer global broadband access at 1-2 Mbps in the late 1990s, but no commercially viable business plan evolved. Traditional wired broadband infrastructure is being driven by alternative wireless technologies, especially WiFi hubs for Internet access at hotspots for nomadic users. Some of the latest technology for wireless broadband on a large scale is coming from South Korea, where the "WiBro" system at 1Mbps is being rolled out nationally in 2005/6, to supplement and extend fixed line broadband. As shown in the figure below, being an instance of The Portable Internet, WiBro sits conveniently between several technologies, aiming to offer advantages for data over WLAN and 3G mobile (IMT-2000). Figure 2.A1.1. WiBro - key facts and positioning Bit rate Mbps Broadband -Fibre/Cu - WiBro "Portable Internet" - key parameters FLL-FTTH/FTT0/FTTC Frequency - 100 MHz band in 2.3-2.4 GHz Bit rate/user - 1 Mbps, 1-2 Mbps possible Range - 10's of Kms; up to 50 Km radius from base-station if power/siting suitable Mobility - vehicles to 60 Kph Portable Pricing estimate - monthly flat rate USD 15 Internet IMT 2000 Licences - 3 awarded February 2005 (WiBro) Fixed Pedestrian < 60 kph < 250 kph Mobility Source: KT - interviews & ITU UNS, The case of Korea. While WiFi is limited to pedestrian speeds of mobility and a range of 100- 200 meters, WiBro will also offer mobility, at up to 60 km/h, and provide a range of a minimum of 1 km radius around a base-station with up to 50 kms envisioned, although this would require adequate transmitted and received power and a suitably tall tower to site the WiBro base-station. Samsung is now in negotiations with several US carriers to export the WiBro technology there. Sprint Nextel is to test WiBro in an implementation of the IEEE 802