KT to commercialize narrowband Internet of Things for the first time¡¦Mobile carriers, industry and public IoT competition
Na Won Jae | nwj@ | 2017-04-26 10:44:49

Korean mobile carriers are set to compete in the industry and public Internet of Things (IoT) market. KT model is showing a service of checking the location of a public and industrial 'NB-IoT' used Samsung NB-IoT mobile terminal 'Multipurpose Position Tracker' using Narrowband Objects Internet (NB-IoT). Photo by KT



Korean mobile carriers` competition in the industry and public Internet of Things (IoT) market has begun to gain momentum. SK Telecom first launched its LoRa (Long Range) IoT in June last year, while KT and LG U Plus are using the narrowband Internet (NB-IoT) network commercialization in Seoul and the metropolitan area service.

KT announced on April 25 that it will build NB-IoT, an internet network dedicated to the industrial and public sectors, in Seoul and the metropolitan area and launch the first NB-IoT commercialization service in Korea.

The company has explained that NB-IoT, which is commercialized, can serve not only the ground, but also the underground space such as water, sewer, and gas pipes, and is up to four times faster than the Internet of Small things network. In particular, the company also added that the NB-IoT utilizes a dedicated frequency band to ensure stable service without signal interference.

The company plans to use NB-IoT to transmit low-capacity data at low power, and the Smal Internet of Things that transmits high-capacity data such as image files uses `LTE-M` technology using existing mobile communication network.

KT is conducting a beta test of `Multipurpose Position Tracker (tracking type)` which is Samsung`s NB-IoT mobile device starting this month. The company explained that the device has been reduced in size and improved in use time compared to existing products. The satellite navigation system (GPS), WPS (Wi-Fi positioning) and base station positioning technology can be precisely located.

KT said it plans to gradually introduce NB-IoT services such as tracking facilities for businesses and public institutions, water gas metering and intrusion detection, parking and air quality monitoring. A representative of the company said, "Currently, we have built NB-IoT network in 85 cities and plan to gradually increase commercial area. The construction of the nationwide network will end in June."

LG U Plus also plans to build NB-IoT networks in Seoul and the metropolitan area by this week, and plans to build networks in 85 cities nationwide in June, and plans to enter service in the second half of this year.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom built a nationwide network of `LoRa` in June last year and has been providing services in the household, industrial and public sectors. Last year, SK Hynix and SK Telecom provided location management services for the socially disadvantaged and started a water and water level monitoring alliance with Korea Rural Community Corporation based on LoRa. This year, the company concluded an agreement to build an electric safety management system by LoRa under cooperation with Korea Electric Safety Corporation. The company is currently negotiating with local governments and companies for various IoT services.

By Na Won Jae nwj@


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