KT seeks to turn Boracay into ICT island
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu, right, introduces the firm's advanced ICT technologies to Philippine government officials at the company's headquarters in central Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of KT
By Jun Ji-hye
KT has proposed a project to turn the Philippines' beach resort island of Boracay into a safer and more convenient location using the firm's ICT infrastructure during a meeting with Philippine government officials, the company said Wednesday.
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu proposed the “Smart Boracay” project while discussing measures to develop the Southeast Asian country's ICT infrastructure with its acting Information and Communications Technology Minister Eliseo Mijares Rio Jr, incoming ICT Minister Gregorio Honasan and Vice Environment Minister Jonas R. Leones. The meeting took place at KT's headquarters in central Seoul, Tuesday.
Introducing KT's innovative smart energy and security systems, Hwang said the Smart Boracay project could be connected to the Philippine government's ongoing project to restore the island.
In April, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the closure of the island of Boracay for up to six months for environmental purification. Since then, the country has been working to remove illegal buildings, and improve water supply and sewage systems as well as communication and electricity installations.
Korea's biggest fixed-line internet operator and second-largest mobile carrier, suggested installing public Wi-Fi zones and intelligent closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) at port areas so that tourists can use the mobile internet more conveniently and enjoy safer travel.
The company also proposed applying its smart energy management platform, KT-MEG.
The firm noted that it has been in talks with officials from the Philippine government and private firms of the country to become a major partner in developing the country's ICT industry at a time when President Duterte is pushing for economic revival.
“KT is actively pushing into the global market based on its innovative technologies in communication networks as well as smart energy and security,” Chairman Hwang said. “If the Smart Boracay project is accepted by the Philippine government, it will be a great opportunity to promote Korea's advanced ICT to about 2 million tourists around the world every year.”