'Intelligent network will drive 5G era'
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu gives a special lecture on the future of the next-generation network technology at the Memorial Hall of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Tuesday (local time). / Courtesy of KT
By Lee Min-hyung
The next industrial revolution will be reshaped under the framework of “intelligent networks,” connecting billions of devices and creating new value out of this, KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu said Tuesday.
The chief of the nation’s leading fixed-line operator made the remark during a special lecture at Harvard, predicting massive growth potential for the data-driven network industry.
“Eleven years ago, I spoke about the arrival of the mobile era, and every part of it has become a reality,” he said. “(And today) I have spoken about the future with the intelligent networks. I am certain that this future will bring a broader and greater change to the world than the mobile era.”
Intelligent networks refer to the convergence of human beings and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The KT chief expressed confidence that the big data-driven network era will help connect human beings in a more convenient and safe way.
“The network revolution is not just about an improvement in data-processing speed, but the convergence of various emerging technologies,” he said. “By 2020, network speed will be ten times faster than the current mobile age, and this will be the same for other technology areas ― including big data and cybersecurity.”
Under his leadership, KT has been pushing a network revolution in four core areas ― speed, surveillance, big data and security. Hwang cited the firm’s GiGA Internet as an example of its commitment to lead the new network era.
In 2014, KT launched the gigabit-class Internet service, offering a 10 times faster service than existing ones. Since the firm started its commercialization in late 2014, the company has attracted more than two million subscribers for the service.
This is not the first time that Hwang has delivered a lecture at a renowned technology fair or university across the world.
Last year, he shed light on the blueprint for the fifth-generation (5G) era at the Mobile World Congress (MWC). Under the theme “5G and Beyond” he called on mobile carriers across the world to join hands for the upcoming 5G era.
The company plans to demonstrate its 5G network services for the first time in the world at the coming PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018.
Toward that end, the company is pushing to connect every mobile device with its gigabit network system under the corporate vision of “GiGAtopia.”
KT said the GiGAtopia strategy will be used as a textbook for Harvard Business School next year, pinning its hopes that this will further raise its global profile.