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SK Telecom Develops 'Backpack-Type LTE Equipment' Unaffected by Base Station Damage
Published2016.08.04 18:13The smallest communication system currently in existence, including 'base station + switch' functions.
Communication networks were cut off due to a large-scale landslide caused by heavy rain in the mountainous region of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. As a result, the situation room at the Ministry of Public Safety and Security faced difficulties in assessing the extent of the damage as it was unable to properly process reports for civilian rescue.
Communication facilities were restored as firefighters and police personnel arrived at the disaster site midway up the mountain wearing backpack-style LTE equipment and turned on the power. Reports from the stranded individuals began to be received smoothly, and the personnel commenced rescue operations using dedicated terminals equipped with real-time sharing technology. The central control room received real-time video and photos from the scene and was able to issue prompt rescue instructions to field personnel.
SK Telecom (CEO and President Jang Dong-hyun, www.sktelecom.com) and global network equipment manufacturer Nokia (President Rajeev Suri, www.nokia.com) announced that they have successfully developed the world's first portable communication system capable of building an independent communication network and equipped with a disaster safety communication solution.
The 'backpack-type LTE equipment' unveiled by the two companies on this day is the smallest portable communication system currently in existence, small and light enough to be carried in a backpack.
In particular, this system is equipped with all the functions necessary for communication during a disaster, including not only base stations and switches essential for communication but also 'Group Communication Technology,' a core solution for disaster networks. Personnel deployed to the disaster site can use 'Group Communication Technology' to exchange not only voice but also video and photos in real time, enabling more accurate sharing of on-site situations. It also ensures scalability to accommodate specialized services required by various organizations.
Since existing portable communication systems only served as simple base stations, actual communication required a separate connection to a remote switch or central control center via satellite or wired networks. This caused inconveniences, such as the inability of the portable communication system to perform base station functions in case of poor weather or a disconnection of the wired network. The maximum number of people who could use it was also around 20, making it difficult to utilize in actual disaster situations.
The 'backpack-type LTE equipment' enables independent communication separate from existing base station networks, so it can provide complete communication services even if the existing communication network is disconnected due to a disaster. The service range provided by the system is a radius of 5 km and accommodates up to 400 people.
Real-time group communication of 400 people within a 5km radius is possible.
SK Telecom and Nokia signed an agreement last October for the joint development of disaster safety communication technology and have been accelerating the development of portable communication systems and disaster network technology. As a result, the two companies succeeded in developing the world's first 'Group Communication Technology,' 'GCSE,' and demonstrated it to major international telecommunications companies at 'MWC 2016' held in Spain last February.
SK Telecom unveiled the system to the Ministry of Public Safety and Security on August 1 and successfully completed outdoor environmental quality measurements on nearby hiking trails, including Namsan. SK Telecom plans to complete pilot testing within the year and utilize this system for projects scheduled for next year, such as the disaster network expansion project and the maritime LTE network construction project.
Lee Jong-bong, Head of Infrastructure at SK Telecom, said, “Portable LTE equipment is a groundbreaking solution that can provide independent communication services even if existing communication networks are disconnected due to disasters,” adding, “SK Telecom will not only utilize this for domestic disaster network projects but also share its know-how with overseas disaster network operators.”
"Portable LTE equipment is the most essential system on-site for responding to emergencies amidst various disaster situations," said Andrew Cope, CEO of Nokia Korea. "We are pleased to be able to introduce this for the first time in the world with SK Telecom, and we plan to continue our efforts to provide the most advanced disaster network solutions."
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