National IoT Network
The Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning of South Korea announced on July 19 that it would create new growth opportunities based on a combination between information and communications technology (ICT) and software. To this end, the South Korean government is planning to establish fourth industrial revolution infrastructure, abolish unnecessary regulations, assist in the growth of software firms and prevent adverse effects related to ICT.
The government’s plans also include public data opening, development of integrated ICT services such as smart home and precision medicine, and establishment of infrastructure for 5G mobile communications and IoT networks. The government is planning to complete the establishment of dedicated IoT networks before the end of this year, launch commercial 10 Gbps Internet services in 2018, and launch 5G mobile services in 2019.
When it comes to software, it is going to provide better business conditions for software firms, set up artificial intelligence-based systems for coping with cyber security threats, provide better user protection by means of dispute mediation, and reduce information divide to the minimum level.
According to the government, these measures for software-ICT combination are expected to create approximately 260,000 new jobs in the private sector. The government and the ministry also said that they would work on a platform for automobile-ICT combination as well so that smart car and self-driving car development can be accelerated and near-self-driving cars can be put to commercial use in 2020.