LG Uplus to double home IoT business

By Yoon Sung-won

LG Uplus, the nation’s third-largest telecom company, has promised to double the number of home Internet of Things (IoT) services next year.

The company said Tuesday the move comes as it expands relationships with partners including builders, heating system makers and electronics companies such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

Expectations are the carrier will continue to push the IoT service business as a growth engine under new CEO Kwon Young-soo.

“The successful launch of the IoT service platform received an explosive market response early on and has led to a rapid increase in the number of subscribers,” LG Uplus Home Solution Business Director Ryu Chang-su said. “We have reached out for collaboration with the nation’s top electronics makers, LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, and more diverse partners. We will leap forward to become the world’s top IoT business.”

LG Uplus said it will provide more than 30 Home IoT services in the first half next year, adding more than 16 services to the existing 14.

Since the company launched its IoT service in July, it has attracted more than 80,000 subscribers thanks to aggressive marketing.

It is providing IoT device services such as smart switches and plugs, energy meters, gas locks, door locks and temperature controllers.

The company plans to roll out services based on smart home appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, air purifiers, washing machines and microwave ovens. It said devices of its affiliate, LG Electronics, and Samsung Electronics will be compatible with its IoT platform, allowing more connectivity for users.

LG Uplus said it is cooperating with small and medium electronics firms and construction material companies to expand the platform to rice cookers, electric ranges and electrically operating curtains and windows. In particular, a universal device control service will be provided to support as many products as possible, regardless of manufacturer.

LG Uplus said it will introduce an upgraded intelligent IoT service by the latter half of next year.

This can control home appliances such as air-conditioners and air purifiers based on the external temperature and ultrafine dust condition data collected from a sensor and the Internet.

The company expects the intelligent system will differentiate its IoT service from those of competitors such as SK Telecom.