The triple helix model in Korean mobile communications technology innovation

The aim of this research is to analyze the success factors of Korean telecommunications industry in CDMA technology development. It is mainly based on the close triple cooperation of the government, government sponsored-research institutes and private companies that enables Korea to provide the public service of CDMA technology for the first time in the world. The rapid worldwide growth of CDMA markets can be regarded as another factor of its success. Korean government has not only chosen CDMA as technological standard to decrease the confusion and uncertainty in telecommunications technology and its market development but also executed new policies to support the development with raising its research fund. The government sponsored-research institute with government subsidy had concentrated on the development of CDMA technology in cooperation with overseas companies and domestic private companies and the private companies have tried to commercialize the service for the first time in the world. These close relationships were the major element of the success as well as another contribution of a big world market to provide with the service based on CDMA technology. In short, Korean CDMA technology could lead a great success with a combination of both technology and market development in time.