South Korea's Ubiquitous Network Revolution: Challenges and Implications

Strategic Insights -

South Korea is at the forefront of the "ubiquitous network" revolution, where technology seamlessly integrates into daily life, providing diverse services and converged platforms. The concept, though still unknown to many, is being showcased at an exhibition in Seoul, demonstrating how a home network can turn a room into a smart space with wireless TVs, audio equipment, and computers. The Ministry of Information and Communication has launched a pilot project with 230 residences, aiming to extend the system to 10 million homes by 2007.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ministry of Information and Communication has launched a home network pilot service in 230 residences, with plans to extend it to 1,300 by the end of 2004, and 10 million homes by 2007.
  • The home network provides diverse services, including the operation of gas and boiler systems, living room lights, and monitoring of electricity, water, and gas usage.
  • The system also offers optional services like video on demand (VOD) and online communities for an extra charge.
  • The government aims to establish a Broadband Convergence Network (BCN) that combines telecommunications, broadcasting, and the Internet, with a proposed broadband spectrum of capacity for an ubiquitous information environment of 50-100Mbps.
  • South Korea is a leader in wireless mobile Internet, with a 6-percent growth level per annum to 69 trillion won (US$58.1 billion) in 2010.
  • Despite its progress, the country faces fundamental questions regarding individual privacy, the impact on quality of life, and the need for high-value-added contents to introduce a meaningful age of ubiquitous networks.

Statistics:

  • The Ministry of Information and Communication has launched a home network pilot service in 230 residences, with plans to extend it to 1,300 by the end of 2004.
  • The 10 million-home target by 2007 represents an ambitious goal for implementing ubiquitous networks.
  • The wireless mobile Internet sector in South Korea is expected to maintain a 6-percent growth level per annum to 69 trillion won (US$58.1 billion) in 2010.
  • The proposed broadband spectrum of capacity for an ubiquitous information environment is 50-100Mbps.

Sources:

  • "Seoul Exhibition Showcases 'Ubiquitous Network' Concept"
  • Ministry of Information and Communication
  • White Paper: "Internet Korea 2004" by the National Computerization Agency
  • Cho Dong-ho, project manager of mobile telecommunication of the Ministry of Information and Communication
  • Yonhap News Agency article on "ubiquitous network" challenges and implications.