It is said on June 11 that KT (CEO Hwang Chang-kyu) will be the largest Wi-Fi access point (AP) among the three major mobile operators in August this year, while the Moon Jae-in government is pushing for the expansion of public Wi-Fi. Earlier, LG U Plus has opened about 80,000 Wi-Fi networks in 2012, and SK Telecom recently revealed plans to open about 80,000 Wi-Fi networks and expand it to 100,000 by the end of the year.

KT opens 100,000 Wi-Fi networks, which currently account for about 55% of the company`s total 180,000 Wi-Fi networks, with 30,000 common Wi-Fi and 70,000 GiGa Wi-Fi networks. According to the company, Giga Wi-Fi is three times faster than common Wi-Fi, coverage is two times wider, and the number of concurrent users is 17 times (512 concurrent users). The company also plans to increase the current Giga Wi-Fi to 80,000 by the end of the year.

KT plans to open Wi-Fi focusing on living amenities (convenience stores, department stores, large marts, bus stops, subway stations, terminals, gas stations, etc.), sports facilities.

The Wi-Fi AP can be used not only for KT users but also for other users. However, other company users use the Wi-Fi access for about one hour for free after watching the 5~15 seconds advertisement. The company plans to focus on Wi-Fi in high-traffic areas and to check old equipment.

Meanwhile, KT proposed cooperation with China Mobile and NTT DoCoMo at the SCFA (Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement) General Meeting held in Chengdu, China in May, and is promoting free Wi-Fi roaming service in Korea, China and Japan throughout the year. KT users will be able to use the Wi-Fi infrastructure built by the two companies in China and Japan without additional subscription, ID or password input if China Mobile and NTT DoCoMo accept the proposal. China Mobile and NTT DoCoMo`s Wi-Fi APs are about 4.5 million and about 180,000, respectively.

On the other hand, President Moon Jae-in has pledged to expand public Wi-Fi at the time of the presidential election. The National Assembly Planning Advisory Committee, which is the government`s transition team, is also looking for ways to reduce the telecommunication cost of households and to find solutions in cooperation with Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, telecommunication companies and civic organizations.


By Na Won Jae nwj@


[ copyright ⓒ The Digitaltimes ]