KT creates wireless broadband zone in Jeju

JEJU -- KT Corp. announced Tuesday it has completed a nationwide wireless broadband network by installing the service on Jeju Island.

The country’s biggest fixed-line operator also signed an agreement with Jeju Provincial Government to build a mobile call center and to work together on expanding the high-speed wireless Internet service in Jeju.

“(Today’s) event is meaningful in that the fourth generation (4G) WiBro network has been completed by a nationwide construction process,” said KT’s chairman Lee Suk-chae. 

“With the 4G WiBro service being available in Jeju today, I believe a mobile wonderland -- which could enable people to follow their dreams in the smartphone era -- has been created.”

The 4G WiBro network is projected to offer seamless Internet access to 85 percent of the population at fixed locations and even when people are on-the-go.

The WiBro plan is part of KT’s scheme to set up a total network for its fixed-line and wireless services by 2014. As the number of multi gadget owners surge, the firm pledged earlier in July that it would invest 5.1 trillion won ($4.69 billion) for the project.

It will offer wireless Internet services in 20 tourist hot spots, such as Mount Halla and Seongsan Sunrise Park, and install “Egg” devices on public transportation for wireless connections, according to Pyo.

The company will also develop a U-Mobile Tour mobile application within this year for smartphones which run on Google’s and Apple’s mobile operating systems.

KT’s mobile customer center, which will create 170 new workplaces, is slated to open in October and it will support other organizations with the establishment of smart working centers.

Equipping Jeju with the wireless Internet network was a choice made in hopes of enlisting it as one of the new seven wonders of nature, an event organized by the New Open World Corp.

“Considering that the number of Jeju tourists reached 7.5 million last year, a fresh idea was necessary to have the figure top 10 million and it led to the convergence of tourism and information and technology,” said Pyo Hyun-myung, president of KT’s mobile business group.

By Cho Ji-hyun (sharon@heraldcorp.com)