Wall Street Journal | March 23, 2011 | Jung-Ah Lee
(“UPDATE: KT To Start Selling iPad2 In S Korea From April” at 0526 GMT incorrectly stated that SK Telecom is in talks with Apple in the second paragraph. The correct version follows:)
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
SEOUL (Dow Jones)–Despite concerns the recent devastating earthquake in Japan may disrupt component supplies for Apple Inc.’s (APPL) iPad2 tablet devices, South Korea’s KT Corp. (KTC) Wednesday said it plans to sell the second-generation iPad in the Asian country from next month.
KT’s hometown rival and the country’s largest mobile carrier, SK Telecom Co. (017670.SE), said it’s actively considering offering the tablet device in the domestic market.
From April, SK Telecom will begin selling four tablet computer models, including Motorola Mobility Holdings’ Xoom, Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Tab devices and LG Electronics’ Optimus Pad.
Neither Korean mobile operator provided pricing details or data plans for their upcoming offerings.
As global tablet manufacturers strive to produce tablets that stand out against rivals’ products, competition among mobile carriers has also been hotting up as they seek bigger profits from wireless data service sales.
Apple has said it will proceed with plans to begin selling its second-generation iPad in 25 countries later this week, after delaying its introduction in Japan because of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.
