In 1996, Korean researchers achieved the world's first commercialization of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology. This groundbreaking achievement has now been recognized by being inducted into the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Milestones, marking a significant first for Korean technology among the achievements predominantly held by North America, Europe, and Japan.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 11th that the CDMA commercialization technology, developed in collaboration with SK Telecom, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics, has been awarded the IEEE Milestone. A commemorative ceremony was held at ETRI’s headquarters to celebrate this honor. The IEEE Milestones program recognizes and commemorates significant technical achievements that have had a lasting impact on humanity in the fields of electrical, electronic, and computer engineering. To qualify for this honor, a technology must be nominated 25 years after its development, essentially making it a "hall of fame."
In the 1990s, the Korean government responded to the burgeoning demand for mobile communication by successfully commercializing the CDMA digital mobile communication system, which increased call capacity by over ten times compared to the analog systems. At that time, Korea's first-generation mobile communication, commercialized in 1984, was analog and provided only voice calls. While global companies were fiercely competing over Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Korea took a unique path with CDMA.
The success of CDMA commercialization in 1996 laid the foundation for independent technological advancements in mobile communication, ensuring that Korea remained competitive in 3G, 4G, 5G, and even future 6G technologies. ETRI led this project, with Samsung Electronics, Goldstar Information & Communications (now LG Electronics), Hyundai Electronics, and Maxon Electronics participating as manufacturers.
To commemorate the IEEE Milestone induction, ETRI held a ceremony on the 11th and invited former and current researchers involved in the development of CDMA technology. The event included a welcome speech by ETRI President Bang Seung-chan, congratulatory remarks by former Minister of Information and Communication Yang Seung-taek and Chairperson of Soam Sistel Park Hang-koo, and a historical overview of CDMA development by KAIST Professor Han Young-nam. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a plaque in Honor Hall of ETRI Building 7, marking the CDMA commercialization technology’s induction into the IEEE Milestones.
