SK Telecom to Build Nationwide LoRa Network by June… as LTE-M Hybrid
KT plans to commercialize NB-IoT for its nationwide LTE-M network service as well.
LG Uplus supports LTE Cat.1 with the release of an LTE communication module

As dedicated IoT networks specialized for the Internet of Things are rapidly established, related IoT services are also expanding.

The Internet of Small Things (IoST) is a transmission technology characterized by low cost, low power consumption, and low capacity, enabling the transmission of small amounts of data and operation solely on batteries without the need for constant power. This is because not all objects necessarily require high-cost, ultra-high-speed networks to exchange data over the Internet.

Accordingly, leading domestic telecommunications companies are expanding the construction of their respective IoT networks and launching IoT services based on them one after another. While LTE-M technology utilizing existing networks was initially highlighted for IoT-dedicated networks specialized for the IoT, Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) communication technology for the IoT field is also gaining attention. LoRa, NB-IoT, and SigFox are competing as LPWA technologies.

These low-power, long-distance communication technologies each have their own advantages and disadvantages. LoRa, which boasts low power consumption, low speed, and long range, has been deployed by companies such as KPN in the Netherlands, Swisscom, Bouygues and SingTel in France, Proximus in Belgium, and FastNet in South Africa. In Korea, SK Telecom has set out to commercialize a nationwide network within the year.

SigFox, characterized by low power, low cost, low speed, and long range, is also being applied to commercial networks centered in Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. On the other hand, it is reported that LTE-M has been fully implemented in commercial networks by multiple mobile carriers, starting with Verizon in the United States.

LTE-M, which has already been commercially deployed in Korea, is a service suitable for small amounts of data (10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload); compatible devices are currently being prepared, and continuous upgrades are possible if necessary. For LoRa, for which equipment and network server development and interoperability testing have been completed, a nationwide network covering 99% of the population and 90% of the land area will be established within the year, starting with the Daegu IoT pilot city, Daejeon, Sejong, and Busan. Accordingly, the launch of various services utilizing sensors, such as metering, monitoring, and tracking, is also scheduled.

SK Telecom Completes LoRa Network Construction in Daegu, 'Expanding Nationwide Network'

SK Telecom is the most active in building dedicated IoT networks. On the 31st of last month, SK Telecom announced that it had completed the construction of a LoRa network, a dedicated IoT network, throughout Daegu, an IoT pilot city. This marks the first application of this technology at the city level in Korea. Based on this, SK Telecom plans to install T Open Lab by July, where ventures and startups can develop and verify new services, and also provide an environment that makes it easier to utilize its IoT platform, 'ThingPlug'. SK Telecom plans to expand its LoRa network nationwide by June and is also preparing various services through 'LTE-M', an IoT-dedicated network that has been applied to its commercial LTE network.


▲ Checking data from a smart gas meter equipped with a dedicated IoT module via a tablet. SK Telecom

SK Telecom predicts that the potential domestic market size for the IoT industry, which provides low-volume data such as numbers and coordinates infrequently, will reach 2.2 trillion won based on currently applicable services. At the IoT Convergence World held last month, SK Telecom’s Vice President Kim Jin-hyung stated, “SK Telecom plans to revitalize IoT services by opening up its platform to develop various data-based services and provide high value to customers, supplying chips and modules at low prices, and introducing new IoT-specific pricing plans.”

In this regard, SK Telecom is providing Korea's first LoRa-based bidirectional gas AMI. By combining a communication modem, the bidirectional gas AMI supports wireless remote meter reading and safety shut-off control services, eliminating the hassle of usage recording, text messaging, and unnecessary complaints. Additionally, the company is introducing a bicycle service equipped with dedicated LoRa tracking devices. This bicycle tracking service provides location verification, movement path monitoring, and data analysis solutions. In addition, we plan to utilize LoRa infrastructure to provide weather forecasting services and management services for the socially vulnerable.

KT Aims for 4 Million Connected IoT Devices by 2018

Last March, KT announced its Internet of Things business through the commercialization of the world's first nationwide 'LTE-M' network service.

KT announced that 'LTE-M,' which has launched nationwide commercial service, is superior to IoT technologies such as SigFox and LoRa in terms of coverage and stability. LTE-M not only enables nationwide service coverage but also utilizes licensed frequency bands, ensuring no degradation in communication quality due to frequency interference. Furthermore, it allows for bidirectional communication with objects, enabling control of devices that is impossible with SigFox or LoRa, and offers advantages in global scalability through roaming.

KT also announced plans to invest 150 billion won in NB-IoT through a presentation on its Internet of Things business. Prior to this, the NB-IoT Open Lab was opened at the Gyeonggi Creative Economy Innovation Center, and plans are underway to complete commercial network interoperability testing and service verification of NB-IoT within the year to pursue the world's first nationwide commercialization of NB-IoT.

▲ KT 'Bicycle Theft Control Service'

At the presentation, KT’s Kim Jun-geun, Head of the GiGA IoT Business Unit, stated, “We will become a leading player in the IoT market by achieving the goal of 4 million connected IoT devices by 2018 through aggressive investment and ecosystem building for the IoT business.”

KT also introduced a 'Bicycle Theft Monitoring Service' that allows users to check the real-time location of bicycles along with an IoT network. The 'IoT Bicycle' is a solution that utilizes KT's nationwide LTE-M network and IoT platform to include features for preventing theft, such as vibration and alarms, sophisticated location tracking, and a battery complete discharge warning function. On the 25th of last month, KT signed a 'business agreement for the revitalization of the IoT bicycle market' with Alton Sports, BC Card, KT Telecop, and Dongbu Insurance at the Alton Sports headquarters located in Pangyo, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do.

In addition, KT showcased various services, including a 'Smart Blood Box' capable of measuring the temperature and monitoring the movement of blood being transported, and a 'Smart Lighting Service' that links sensors for store signage and in-store temperature and humidity.

LG Uplus Announces LTE Communication Module Together with LG Innotek

LG Uplus launched its Internet of Things (IoT) business in earnest last March with the release of an LTE communication module using LTE services.

This company has successfully developed an ultra-low-cost, low-power LTE communication module dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT) in collaboration with LG Innotek, and has launched the module and commercialized the service. Since the IoT-dedicated LTE Category 1 (Cat.1) communication module utilizes existing LTE networks, unlike dedicated IoT networks such as NB IoT, LoRa, and Sigfox, there is no need to invest additional time and money in new network infrastructure or development, making nationwide service immediately possible.

The company stated that the size has been minimized to approximately 50% of existing LTE communication modules (28.8mm x 16.6mm x 2.5mm), enabling its use in a variety of products such as wearables and medical devices. Additionally, a key advantage is its affordable price in the 10,000 won range, compared to the 30,000 to 40,000 won range of existing modules. Notably, it supports a Power Save Mode (PSM) function that transmits data only when necessary and automatically switches to power-saving mode at other times, making it suitable for IoT services.