By Kim Yoo-chul
SK Telecom said Sunday it plans to launch the world’s first long-term evolution (LTE)-Maritime (M) wireless communications network as part of a research project led by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF).
LTE-M supports high-speed wireless telecommunications on ships located approximately 100 kilometers from shore.
In particular, LTE-M is expected to enhance the navigation safety of small ships that have a relatively poor inbuilt communication and safety system compared to large vessels, the nation’s top mobile carrier said in a statement.
“SK Telecom plans to deploy the test network by May 2016 in the East Sea of Korea. Radio signals transmitted from a high-gain antenna located at high altitude in the eastern coast will be received by a LTE-M router installed on a ship to be converted to Wi-Fi,” it added.
The SK Group’s telecommunications affiliate will develop a high-gain antenna that covers up to 100 kilometers offshore as well as an LTE-M router that can receive
LTE signals in a stable manner in the maritime environment by withstanding high humidity, strong winds and a salt-laden atmosphere, according to the statement.
“SK Telecom will successfully deploy LTE-M, a high-speed maritime wireless communications network, by leveraging its extensive expertise in communications technology, and thereby contribute to the enhanced safety of ships,” said Choi Seung-won, head of the company’s network strategy office, in the statement.