KT has initiated a government-led public safety network project for providing enhanced safety measures in times of disaster.
Using an LTE-based public safety network (PS-LTE), the government plans to provide better communication and coordination of emergency services.
When disasters occur, more than 300 government agencies such as fire departments, police and disaster control centers will be able to share multimedia information including high-resolution images and video through the high-speed network.
To that end, the government allocated a 1.7 trillion won ($1.5 billion) budget for the project, in which its construction of a nationwide network is scheduled to be completed by 2020.
KT, the country's second-largest mobile carrier, said it held a presentation on the project plan for government officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of ICT and Science, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries at the Central Government Complex in Seoul, Friday.
During the briefing, KT announced three goals for the project ― completion of standardization of the public safety network, achieving the target goals of the network coverage and establishment of a management plan for stable operation.
The public safety network project is divided into three areas and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety chose KT and SK Telecom as contractors.
Under the plan, KT will cover Areas A and B ― Area A includes Seoul, Daegu, Daejeon, Sejong, North Gyeongsang Province, South Chungcheong Province and Jeju Island while Area B covers Gwangju, Gangwon Province, North and South Jeolla Province and Gyeonggi Province. SK Telecom will be in charge of Area C, which includes Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, North Chungcheong Province and South Gyeongsang Province.
As the firm covers two areas, it will take the role of control tower and construct three public safety network management centers in Seoul, Daegu and Jeju Island.
"With KT's experience in the country's public safety, maritime safety and railroad safety, we will be dedicated to becoming the control tower of the public safety network business," said Park Yoon-young, senior executive vice president of the firm.
Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2018/12/129_260835.html