KT, TeliaSonera teaming up over IoT

By Kim Yoo-chul

KT is seeking to collaborate with TeliaSonera, the largest telecommunications company in Scandinavia, in the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and fifth-generation (5G) technology.

TeliaSonera's top management visited KT’s main office in downtown Seoul and technology centers in Yangjae, southern Seoul. They were briefed on KT's media services powered by its long-term evolution (LTE) technology.

“TeliaSonera CEO Johan Dannelind discussed issues on the establishment of standards for 5G and IoT with KT CEO and Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu,” the company said.

The TeliaSonera delegation showed interest in KT’s “GiGA Island” project, in which KT is stepping up efforts to spread its LTE technology to every local island.

KT plans to install GiGA network infrastructure on some 500 inhabited islands over the next five years to help people utilize telecom services under any conditions.

Spokeswoman Park Mi-seon said top management of the two companies agreed on an early introduction of the 5G-based wireless technology because constant growth of data traffic made 5G a necessity.

“A partnership with global telecom giants like TeliaSonera is important for the establishment of more effective 5G networks and IoT,” she said.

The TeliaSonera delegation also showed interest in KT's projects to help local startups via its newly opened innovation center in Gyeonggi Province, near Seoul.

TeliaSonera provides services to 17 countries in Scandinavia and Central Asia.