POSCO to establish disaster preparedness communication system with major telecoms companies

Shim Min-suk, left, POSCO's senior vice president, poses with three major telecommunications executives after signing an MOU to strengthen emergency communications networks at the company's Pohang and Gwangyang steel plants at the POSCO Center in Seoul, Thursday. From left Shim, SK Telecom Vice President Yoon Hyeong-sig, KT Senior Vice President Park Jeong-jun and LG U+ Vice President Lim Sung-joon. Courtesy of POSCO Group

By Kim Hyun-bin

POSCO plans to improve mobile phone communication networks for disasters and to quickly restore communication in cases of an emergency at its steel mills, according to the steelmaker, Friday.

POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with three telecommunications companies: SK Telecom, KT and LG U+, to improve emergency mobile phone communication networks at its steel mills. The MOU signing ceremony was held at the POSCO Center, Thursday.

The move comes as Pohang Works was flooded due to Typhoon Hinnamnor last year, resulting in the submergence of communication equipment, which made it difficult to communicate with emergency contacts via portable electronic devices.

Through this MOU, POSCO and the three telecommunications companies decided to improve communications at both the Pohang and Gwangyang steel plants, which are the backbone of a key national industry. In case of an emergency, they agreed to operate a joint response system to quickly normalize the mobile communication network.

"Through cooperation with the three telecommunication companies, we will secure business continuity and establish a swift recovery system in case of an unexpected disaster at the steel mill." Shim Min-seok, head of POSCO's digital innovation office, said.

In addition, POSCO and the three telecommunications companies have secured 106 emergency generators that can be used in an emergency and strengthened batteries in preparation for sudden power outages.

In order to enable communication even in situations such as damage or collapse of mobile phone communication facilities, it decided to establish key recovery points to create a backup communication network and to establish an emergency response system to enable cooperation between POSCO and each communication company.

In addition, POSCO and the three telecommunications companies have agreed to cooperate in mutual support for equipment and the manpower necessary for recovery, operating a hotline and conducting joint disaster response drills.