Partners have the opportunity to introduce leading technologies… KT sees it as the driving force behind the early discovery of core future technologies
Exhibition and introduction of partner companies' new products and technologies across five themes including VR, IoT, and GiGA

KT is taking a big step closer to its vision of becoming 'Global No. 1' through shared growth with its partners.

KT (Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu) announced on the 24th that it held the 'Partner's Fair 2016' at the KT Research & Development Center in Taebong-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul, with the attendance of approximately 300 KT employees and executives from 137 partner companies and potential partner companies.

KT’s Partners Fair, which began in 2014 and is now in its third year, is an event that provides partner companies with opportunities for new business ventures as well as the exhibition and promotion of leading technologies. Through this, KT gains the driving force to identify and commercialize new growth businesses and core future technologies at an early stage. For this reason, it is recognized as a "platform for sharing information on new technologies and exchange" that enhances mutual synergy between KT and its partner companies.



This year, an exhibition was held to introduce new products and technologies proposed by partner companies across five themes, including Virtual Reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and GiGA. A total of 28 new products and technologies were introduced at the exhibition, including "Going to School in a Virtual Classroom" and "LTE-M Helps with Dating." In addition, a substantial program was prepared, including in-depth discussions on the exhibited technologies (Biz Talk), and a briefing on the direction of changes to KT's purchasing system in 2016 and policies for shared growth.

Han Won-sik, Executive Vice President and Head of KT’s SCM Strategy Office, explained, “KT Partners Fair 2016 is an event where KT and its partners can present a joint blueprint for new growth businesses such as VR and IoT, as well as core future technologies, and get a preview of new technologies that have evolved a step further from next-generation core technologies such as 5G and GiGA.” He added, “KT has strived to create a beneficial event for both KT and its partners by awarding partners with high contributions and facilitating commercialization through in-depth discussions on the exhibited core technologies.”

During a briefing held in the morning, KT specifically outlined the direction of purchasing changes and its 2016 win-win growth promotion policies to its partners. This was followed by the Partner Award ceremony for outstanding partners of 2015, and in the afternoon, a Biz Talk aimed at concretizing business opportunities through in-depth technical discussions between KT and its partners proceeded amidst enthusiastic participation from attendees.

The Biz Talk, conducted in a closed-door format, facilitated in-depth discussions on the proposed technologies through presentations, Q&A sessions, and debates. To enhance commercialization decision-making, the attendees were reorganized from working-level staff to team leaders, and representatives from R&D and purchasing departments, as well as the business departments related to the project, were included.

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-kyu personally presided over the awards ceremony to boost the morale of partner companies. On this day, the Partner Award Grand Prize was awarded to 'Iruon' for contributing to the world's first commercialization of Giga LTE in the technology field, and 'Dongbo Information & Communication' for contributing to the perfect implementation of Pohang Iron & Steel's enterprise-dedicated LTE (POSCO-LTE) in the infrastructure construction field.

KT plans to actively pursue the commercialization of equipment and solutions introduced at this Partners Fair following an internal review. If commercialization proceeds, the company plans to share the event's achievements with partner companies through initiatives such as idea reward purchasing and profit-sharing schemes. Furthermore, KT will conduct periodic monitoring and management of commercialization projects to enhance the likelihood of success.

KT Chairman Hwang Chang-kyu said, “KT’s goal of leading the global 5G era and driving Korea’s Fourth Industrial Revolution through intelligent gigabit infrastructure and ICT convergence would be impossible without the help of our partners,” adding, “As a top partner, KT will achieve the vision of being ‘Global No. 1’ through shared growth that respects the opinions of our partners and actively collaborates.”