Intelligent Infrastructure
Intelligent Gigabit Infrastructure refers to communication infrastructure that combines a 20 Gigabit mobile network that is set to be installd by 2018 with a security technology called “Wiz Stick.” Under the KT’s vision, the Gigabit infrastructure will serve to amplify the effectiveness of such technologies as cloud computing and big data and the values of other related ICT industries.
Specifically for speed, Hwang noted that the company will improve the current network speed of 1 Gigabits per second (Gbps) to 20 Gbps by 2018.
In elaborating on the motives for the massive investment plan, Hwang emphasized the technological readiness of KT to take the lead in 5G technology. “KT is at the forefront of 5G technology to commercialize the world’s first network services, and is now leading global telecoms standardization,” Hwang said.
Hwang also noted the company’s vision to lead the so-called era of the 4th industrial revolution.
Namely, Hwang noted that Intelligent Infrastructure will make the 4th industrial revolution in Korea a different experience than other advanced economies. He said that other advanced economies focus mainly on the combination of ICT and manufacturing, whereas by tapping on Intelligent Infrastructure, Korea will experience a much stronger technological impact that permeates almost every aspect of daily life, including automotive and medical services.
Huang projected that such ICT-based services will bring about annual sales of 5 trillion won (US$4.2 billion) by 2020.
As for Wiz Stick , the security technology related to Intelligence Infrastructure, Hwang showcased its capability to prevent access to malicious websites and block hacking attempts.
With Wiz Stick technology, Hwang projected that KT will post 1 trillion won (US$839 million) in sales by 2020 and also tap the overseas security market, which is estimated at around 285 trillion won (US$239 billion).
Other areas of focus are ICT-convergence areas including smart energy, automatic cars, and genetic analysis technologies. Regarding the latter, Hwang projected 5 trillion won (US$4.2 billion) from the domestic sales and 2 trillion won (US$1.7 billion) in sales from overseas markets by 2020.
The press conference coincided with the 130th anniversary of KT, which started out as state telegram agency Hansung Telegram Office in 1885.
Hwang gave a hint about the company’s plan to utilize the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics as a important venue to showcase to the world its new convergent ICT technologies, just as Japan did during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Namely, Japan emerged as a leading player in electronics after the country introduced the world’s first color satellite TV broadcast.
Finally, Hwang reminded the audience of the historical meaning of KT’s 130 years of existence, and projected the company’s vision to bring about a brighter future for another 130 years to come. “With the new technologies KT brings, KT will enable Korea to continue to create new businesses and bring vitality to the Korean economy,” he said.