SKT teams up with Deutsche Telecom for blockchain biz

A model shows a blockchain-based digital identification platform that SK Telecom and Deutsche Telekom plan to co-develop. / Courtesy of SK Telecom

By Jun Ji-hye

SK Telecom will collaborate with Deutsche Telekom to develop a blockchain platform that will enable people to use digital identification, the Korean company said Thursday.

The nation's top mobile carrier said blockchain-based digital identification will make the process of verifying personal information much simpler and safer.

The Korean and German firms will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC), scheduled to kick off on Monday in Barcelona.

Under the MOU, SK Telecom and Deutsche Telekom's T-Labs will work together to develop and commercialize blockchain-based mobile identification that can be utilized in various areas including access control, dealings and contracts.

The two firms will also further explore new business opportunities utilizing the blockchain-based digital identification.

"Mobile blockchain identification can be utilized in a variety of areas including logins both online and in offices," said Oh Se-hyun, a head of the blockchain unit at SK Telecom. "Beginning with the latest collaboration, we will further spur the innovation of information and communications technologies."

The company noted that people are currently forced to disclose their personal information such as date of birth and phone numbers when, for example, they buy goods through online shopping malls. They cannot control such information once it is exposed.

Blockchain-based digital identification does not require people to disclose their personal information. They can manage such information on their own and confirm their identification more simply and safely.

The firm said blockchain-based digital identification could also replace identification cards issued by the government such as passports.

SK Telecom and Deutsche Telekom expect the new service to enable travelers from Korea and Germany to go through much simpler identity confirmation process.

The two firms plan to give a demonstration of how the blockchain-based digital identification works during the MWC.

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