KT-Kolon's 'IoT Life Tech Jacket Marine' Development Expected to Improve Disaster Problems
Announcement of commercialization plan for building 'NB-IoT' to expand IoT services to strengthen national safety

KT (Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu) declared that it would create a safer Republic of Korea than now through ICT technology, with officials from government agencies and companies including the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Kolon, and NOKIA in attendance at KT Square in Gwanghwamun.

On this day, KT unveiled its LTE coverage expansion technology and KT's own differentiated maritime safety solution to prepare for disasters at sea and resolve the problems of disasters and accidents, following the mountainous area disaster safety communication solution presented in Pyeongchang in November 2015.

Currently, LTE coverage for communication at sea without a repeater is approximately 50km from land. To secure coverage beyond that, a ship-mounted repeater is required, and even if this is utilized, LTE service is not available at sea beyond 100 km.

KT developed the 'Over The Horizon Antenna Distribution (OTHAD)' system based on 'LTE Time Advance' technology, and successfully expanded the existing maritime LTE coverage of about 50km to up to 200km without repeaters.

'LTE Time Advance' is a technology that improves signal processing and reception methods, and automatically adjusts the synchronization time between the terminal and the base station according to the distance, connecting the terminal and the base station even at a long distance. The 'Over-the-Horizontal Antenna Array System' is an antenna configuration that maximizes the accuracy of data transmission and reception, transmitting information with minimal error even at a long distance.

KT installed the 'Over-the-Horizontal Antenna Array System' on Mt. Halla in Jeju Island and succeeded in making an LTE-based video call at the Ieodo Ocean Research Station, 185km to the southwest. Ieodo, which had previously relied solely on satellite phones, now has an environment where it is possible to clearly transmit emergency situations and request rescue, and enjoy the Internet at any time.

In addition, by installing the 'Over-the-Horizontal Antenna Array System' on Taebaeksan Mountain, LTE coverage will be secured from the coast of Gangwon-do to Ulleungdo, and free data communication services will be provided to major shipping routes and fishing grounds within 200km, where LTE service was previously unavailable without ship repeaters.

KT has completed patent application for the 'LTE Time Advance' technology and plans to continue expanding maritime LTE coverage by utilizing high-altitude relay stations in the future.