SK Telecom is applying technology to its infrastructure that allows users to easily check manhole accident risk factors threatening the safety of field workers and pedestrians via a smartphone app.

SK Telecom (CEO Yoo Young-sang) announced on the 30th that it is fully expanding its manhole safety management solution, which uses ICT technology to remotely monitor risk factors that cannot be visually identified, such as the concentration of hazardous gases, temperature and humidity, and whether the manhole is flooded or the lid is open.

Manholes are useful facilities that allow workers to manage underground pipes or sewers without excavation, but manholes that have been sealed for a long time can cause asphyxiation accidents due to high concentrations of hazardous gases inside.

In addition, regular safety management is important as there is a possibility of safety accidents occurring beneath manholes, such as flooding, fires, or people falling into them.

SKT optimized the solution to suit the specifications and installation environment of communication manholes through a pilot project last April. Starting from the second half of this year, the application was expanded to 100 locations, including areas suspected of gas generation, manholes that are deep and have a high volume of work, manholes in old downtown areas, and manholes near major communication facilities.

The manhole safety management solution incorporates SK Telecom's AI network management system 'TANGO (T Advanced Next Generation OSSOperational Supporting System)' and IoT network, SK Shields' intelligent convergence security platform 'SUMiTS', and sensor technology from Nable Communications, an IoT specialist.

Based on big data analysis and machine learning, 'Tango' determines abnormalities by analyzing status information received from sensors installed in each manhole. Remote monitoring information can be checked on field workers' smartphone apps and helps decide whether to proceed with operations during periods of heavy rainfall or when there is a concern about hazardous gas emissions.

The data accumulated in the system is linked with SK Shields' 'Summits' AI-based information analysis to enhance situational response capabilities. 'Summits' is a platform that utilizes various IoT sensors to collect information for industrial site safety management and enables immediate response to dangerous situations.

SKT has enhanced worker safety by continuously monitoring trends in hazardous gas generation through a manhole safety management solution and establishing a process that allows field workers to check the internal manhole environment in advance.

SKT plans to continuously expand the application of its solution, focusing on manholes located in high-risk hazardous gas areas, near rivers, and in low-lying areas, based on feedback from field workers.

In addition, to prevent pedestrian falls, we plan to continuously monitor whether manhole covers are open or lost and respond promptly, thereby contributing to strengthening the social safety net.

Kang Jong-ryeol, Head of SKT's ICT Infrastructure Division, stated, "This technology is significant in that it protects the safety of workers dedicated to infrastructure management and can prevent safety accidents such as flooding or fire in advance," adding, "We plan to strengthen our advanced ICT-based operational system to manage telecommunications infrastructure more safely."