The South Korean government said Thursday that commercial rollout of fifth-generation mobile network services could be delayed to next month, as phone manufacturers and telecom firms are struggling to meet the original March deadline.During a press briefing, the Ministry of Science and ICT acknowledged that 5G network services might not be available to consumers by the end of this month. The ministry had been seeking to begin the commercial service this month after 5G-capable smartphones hit the

Industry March 7, 2019

　Police announced Wednesday they have developed a crime prevention app to tackle sexual harassment on the subway through massive data collected via major telecom company KT. 　The Korean National Police Agency said it had come up with a digital prevention system for sexual crimes on the subway after conducting big data analysis with KT. The system will be available to the public next month after being applied to patrolling work of police, the KNPA said. 　According to police, the app allows users

Business March 6, 2019

The South Korean government on Tuesday rejected the pricing plan of the country’s largest mobile carrier for its upcoming 5G wireless services.Following a meeting with an expert panel, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it cannot approve SK Telecom’s pricing plan. While it was not revealed exactly how much the mobile carrier is seeking to charge for the faster mobile service, the government said SKT’s pricing plan could “restrict the consumers’ right for choices.”  (Yonhap)“Since SKT

Industry March 5, 2019

KHOR FAKKAN, United Arab Emirates -- Abdullah, a 20-year-old farmer, learned how to raise crops, including cucumbers, two years ago from a charity foundation located in the port city of Khor Fakkan in Sharjah. Born with disability, he is not strong enough to work all day long under the scorching sun. But he is seeking to expand his boundaries in the barren Middle East territory by growing herbs that require cool temperatures and wet soil. Not only the young farmer but also the local Mideast agri

Technology March 3, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- Standing in line for a voice assistant at a mock hotel room, visitors curiously watched how their water was being delivered after the order was given in a slew of different languages. Immediately after the order was put to the voice assistant, cute, white robots began the journey with their autonomous mechanism. After putting a bottle of mineral water in its case, the robot brought the ordered item to the doorstep. Displayed at the world’s biggest Mobile World Congress 2019 t

Industry Feb. 27, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- Chinese tech giant Huawei on Tuesday pledged to increase its investment in businesses’ efforts to build the next generation of the wireless network, amid controversy over security risks involving the company. During a press conference at the Mobile World Congress 2019, Huawei said the company’s technology is mature enough to address concerns that Huawei equipment could be used for hacking and espionage for the Chinese government. “We have definitely more interest to support t

Industry Feb. 26, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- With debate swirling around Chinese tech giant Huawei and security concerns about the use of its equipment in other countries, the matter was also high on the agenda for global telecom companies this week at the world’s largest mobile gathering.Members of the body running the annual MWC events, the GSM Association or GSMA, had engaged in “heated debate” over the extent to which they should get involved in the controversy in the face of growing pressure, according to insiders.

Industry Feb. 26, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- The head of South Korea’s major mobile carrier said Monday that the country’s business sectors will be the first to see the benefits of the fifth-generation network when its commercial service kicks off this March.During his opening speech for Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu said the long-anticipated 5G technology will be applied to an extensive range of business areas -- from high-tech smart factories to traffic networks for autonomous dr

Technology Feb. 25, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- South Korea’s LG Electronics unveiled Sunday its newly developed 5G-powered smartphone with dual screens -- something similar to Samsung’s recently unveiled foldable phone but with a different user interface. During the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, the country’s tech giant introduced the V50 ThinQ 5G with dual screen functionality. The feature allows users to watch two different screens installed on a single handset. The technology allows users to e

Industry Feb. 25, 2019

BARCELONA, Spain -- With the commercial rollout of fifth-generation wireless networks just around the corner, companies around the world are set to showcase 5G-related technologies during the world’s largest mobile event this week. Handset and telecom firms have descended on Barcelona in Spain for the Mobile World Congress that kicks off Monday. Under the theme of “Intelligent Connectivity,” the four-day event features companies demonstrating how new technologies will change everyday lives. Ther

Industry Feb. 24, 2019

　As companies worldwide engage in a fierce battle to lead in the future generation of wirelss network, South Korean telecom giant KT on Wednesday suggested platforms that can leverage it for everyday life. 　During the event attended by Cabinet members and business leaders, the telecom giant showcased how the 5G network can be used for tracking and measuring fine dust, dealing with wide fires, and also serving the best coffee. 　Held at KT’s office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, the event offered

Industry Feb. 20, 2019

　With South Korea gearing up for the commercial launch of 5G services this March, mobile carriers are facing pressure from consumer activists to minimize prices. 　During a meeting organized at the National Assembly with government officials and consumer activists, participants said while the mobile carriers have invested heavily in building their 5G networks, the cost could be offset by an increase in the total number of subscriptions. Some also recommended a new pricing system for non-data serv

Industry Feb. 19, 2019

　Following telecom LG Uplus’ decision to acquire South Korea’s largest cable TV operator last week, the country’s biggest mobile carrier, SK Telecom, is planning to take over the country’s second-biggest cable TV operator, amid growing competition in the local pay TV market. 　According to industry sources here Monday, SK Telecom is seeking to have its internet service subsidiary, SK Broadband, merge with cable TV operator Tbroad. The company is owned by local conglomerate Taekwang Group. 　While

Industry Feb. 18, 2019

With the United States continuing to warn its European allies against deploying equipment from China’s Huawei, debate is taking place over the 5G race among South Korean telco companies and how the government should respond.The Trump administration is seeking to prevent US companies from using Chinese telecom equipment to establish fifth-generation networks and is pressuring its allied countries to do the same, saying Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. are under orders from the Chinese govern

Industry Feb. 18, 2019

Kakao, the operator of South Korea’s top messenger app, announced Thursday its operating profit plunged more than 50 percent last year from a year earlier despite the IT giant’s record-high annual sales.  According to Kakao, its operating income reached 72.9 billion won ($64.8 million) last year, down from 165.4 billion won in 2017. The company’s fourth-quarter operating profit stood at 4.3 billion won, down more than 80 percent from a year earlier.The performance appears to overshadow the compa

Industry Feb. 14, 2019