Samsung prepping dual-mode WiMax handset for 2007

It looks like Samsung might be gunning to put another "world's first _____" title under their belt, announcing at CommunicAsia last week that a dual-mode WiMax / GSM handset is in the works for a H1 2007 release. The flavor of WiMax in question here is presumably 802.16e which Samsung says will presently haul 10.2Mb down to you each and every second, with a boost to roughly 40Mb/s in Q3 2007. Of course, Korea generally loves them some WiBro, but WiBro holds the promise of 802.16e compatibility so there may be no conflict of interest here. Samsung has said they expect their dual-mode phone to go on sale worldwide, so we can likely (read: hopefully) expect quad-band GSM in the box -- but whether any substantial population outside Korea will have access to an 802.16e network by 1H 2007 is another question entirely.

[Via Mobile Magazine]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 27th 2007 7:29AM]

I am not sure if my friend Chris knows this but the worlds first 802.16e networks would be Wateen Telecom in Pakistan. If anyone reads the news or follows the 3GSM conference they would know such crutial information. Is investigative journalism dead?