The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Thu, January 28, 2021 | 01:15
Seoul & Provinces
Seoul to become free WiFi city
Posted : 2019-10-07 16:22
Updated : 2019-10-08 16:18
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Lee Weon-mok, director general of Seoul City Government's Smart City Policy Bureau, speaks during a press conference to announce a plan to provide free WiFi networks at all public facilities by 2022. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
Lee Weon-mok, director general of Seoul City Government's Smart City Policy Bureau, speaks during a press conference to announce a plan to provide free WiFi networks at all public facilities by 2022. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Kang Seung-woo

Wherever people travel in Seoul, they will stay WiFi connected, after the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a plan Monday to provide free WiFi networks in all public facilities by 2022.

In addition, the city also seeks to extend the presence of the internet of things services such as a smart parking systems and safety services.

The city government is set to invest 102.7 billion won ($85.8 million) over the next three years for its Smart Seoul Network project, a plan to directly offer wireless internet to citizens and visitors rather than relying on telecom firms' networks. However, individual households, schools, factories and warehouses are excluded from the plan.

In 2011, Seoul City started providing free WiFi in all its building, 25 districts offices and densely populated areas such as traditional markets and parks ― the first of its kind by any local government.

"Current public WiFi service covers 31 percent of Seoul, but the plan is expected to increase the coverage to 100 percent," Lee Weon-mok, an official in charge of smart city policies, said in a press briefing.

To that end, the metropolitan government plans to set up 23,750 wireless access points by 2022, tripling the number from the current 7,420.

For residents to experience the expanded service as early as possible, the access points will be first established at public areas such as bus stops, traffic facilities and other existing structures.

In addition, Seoul said the WiFi networks will be equipped with "WiFi 6" technology, the next generation standard, to maintain internet speed, stability and security, ruling out the stereotype that free WiFi means low quality.

Seoul also expects that the free service will bridge the digital divide.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, there is a gulf in mobile monthly data use between subscribers to unlimited data plans and those on limited plans of more than 20 gigabytes.

The city estimates that the plan, when completed, will cut annual mobile fees by a combined 3.87 trillion won for around 6.12 million users.

The project will also allow the local government to offer various IOT-related services.

The IoT-based shared parking system will help smartphone users check availability at public parking lots; and the technology will also be useful to track missing senior citizens and children.

In the IoT all tangible objects are connected to the internet and can identify themselves to other devices in order to exchange data, with smartphones playing a crucial part in the management of other devices.


Emailksw@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter









 
WooriBank
 
  • What to expect from the Fed's first FOMC meeting of 2021
  • SsangYong faces receivership as Mahindra-HAAH deal collapses
  • Budget airline industry faces major changes with new players, merger
  • Are Kakao boss' children being prepared for future succession?
  • COVID-19 survivors suffering from aftereffects
  • AmorePacific aims for rebound through collaboration with Off-White
  • New infections bounce back to over 500
  • Childbirths hit record low in November; deaths rise to highest in 37 years
  • S&P highlights Hyundai, Samsung, LG, SK betting on futuristic cars
  • Chinese man gets jail term for helping foreign nationals enter Korea illegally
  • Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26 Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26
  • More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks
  • TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart
  • AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020 AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020
  • 'Apres-Girl' revisits Korea's first female film director Park Nam-ok 'Apres-Girl' revisits Korea's first female film director Park Nam-ok
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright