Broadband Committee Meeting
KT Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu presented a new model for global social development with ICT at a meeting of the Broadband Committee held in UNESCO's headquarters in Paris, France on Feb. 27 (local time). Founded in 2010 with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon leading the efforts, the Broadband Committee is a representative global communications consultation body that provides support for broadband infrastructure and digital development worldwide.
Chairman Hwang mentioned GiGA Island as a way to utilize broadband in order to realize a knowledge-based society. GiGA Island was built by KT last year, and it provides super-fast Internet connections to a remote southwestern island in South Jeolla Province.
The Chairman explained, "With the construction of GiGA LTE and GiGA Internet, audiovisual education using smart devices or remote mentoring and tutoring are now possible." He added, "The introduction of different types of smart solutions for education has led to increased satisfaction among students on the island." Hwang stressed, "I think that the case of GiGA Island will help developed countries expand the distribution of broadband and realize a knowledge society using ICT."
The nation's second largest mobile carrier announced its goal on May 2014 to realize GiGAtopia, a mobile environment connected through super-fast gigabit technology. Since then, KT has been engaged in projects aimed at eliminating the information gap in the costal and mountainous areas of South Korea. GiGA Island is its first project, and it was well received by relevant government agencies and local groups.
Chairman Hwang noted, "Through my experiences in heading private enterprises and government agencies, I am keenly aware of the fact that the influence of ICT on national development like economy, society and culture is significant." He concluded by saying, "I will try hard to contribute to expanding the distribution of ICT services as a member of the Broadband Committee."