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SK Skopi (www.skopi.com), the digital imaging service brand of SK Networks (CEO Man-won Jeong), is now taking on the digital photo kiosk business. 

On the 24^th, SK Skopi entered into strategic partnerships with hardware suppliers such as Growell Electronics, an interactive kiosk maker, and Webberlink, a vending machine distribution company. 

With Growell Electronics supplying equipment and maintenance services and Webberlink in charge of sales/distribution, SK Skopi will oversee brand development, product planning and operating system software development; in other words, the essential aspects of the new business plan.   

“The domestic digital photo print market being dominated by online print services with superior cost and quality competitiveness, this digital photo kiosk business targets instead camera phone users and the instant print market,” explains Hong-seok Yu, the sales team head of SK Networks Skopi.  “We plan to provide a variety of printing services, catering to the tastes and needs among teens and 20-something consumers,” he commented. 

5.7 million camera phones were sold in Korea during 2003, accounting for close to 40% of all mobile phones purchased in the country.  The figure is expected to jump to 10 million units in 2004, representing over 80% of the total sales in this product category. 

In fact, there are currently some 30 domestic firms out in the race for an early dip into the camera phone photo print market.  These firms are either developing a photo print kiosk or already distributing their photo kiosks.  According to industry estimates, this budding market will be worth, within the upcoming three years, 300 to 400 billion won in equipment and about an annual 700 billion won in print service turnover. 

First launched into online photo print service in July 2000, SK Skopi has fast emerged as a leading service provider in the area.  By taking on the photo print kiosk business, SK Skopi intends to broaden its offline business network.  It aims to consolidate its terrain in the overall photo print market through a business model integrating online and offline channels. 

In addition to stores owned by SK, including TTL Zone, 011 Sales Center and fashion outlets, Skopi’s photo kiosks will be placed in other high-traffic points such as bookstores, movie theaters, play parks, shopping centers and subway stations, to be optimally accessible to camera phone owners and to easily meet their instant printing needs. 

SK Skopi plans to complete the hardware development by May and start the installation of units from July on, after a pilot operation period.  It projects to increase its network of the photo kiosks by some 10,000 units within the next three years.