IoT terminal developers can test the interoperability between the two companies' networks anywhere.

KT and LG Uplus are strengthening cooperation to build an NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) ecosystem.

KT and LG Uplus announced that they have agreed to cooperate on sharing NB-IoT Open Labs, providing one-stop services for development support, network interoperability, and education, and developing core IoT technologies such as joint specifications, chipsets, and modules, and that they will open expanded NB-IoT Open Labs in two locations: Sangam-dong, Seoul (LG Uplus) and Pangyo, Gyeonggi-do (KT).

Open Lab established an NB-IoT commercial network test environment, enabling IoT terminal developers to test network interoperability between the two companies at either of the two centers.

As a result, IoT terminal developers can simultaneously receive network interoperability testing, USIM support, and terminal development support from both companies at the NB-IoT Open Lab, thereby gaining not only development convenience but also the opportunity to expand their market by providing terminals to both companies.

The two companies have agreed to develop a joint operator certification standard in the mid-to-long term and establish a system in which IoT terminal developers can choose one of the two companies to pass the certification process, requiring them to obtain certification for specific additional items from each company. If mutual recognition is allowed, there is an advantage in that the time and cost required for testing and certification can be significantly reduced.

With the operation of the joint open lab, IoT terminal developers can now receive one-stop technical support, product design support, and technical training necessary for the terminal development process. Small and medium-sized developers lacking technical experience can strengthen their NB-IoT hardware development capabilities, and it is expected that this will lead to the revitalization of the development ecosystem.

In particular, NB-IoT technology has the advantage of enabling network construction by adding software functions without replacing existing base station equipment. In addition, since it allows roaming with over 80 countries worldwide that use LTE services, it facilitates the global market penetration of innovative products from excellent small and medium-sized enterprises recognized through the Open Lab.

In addition, the two companies announced that they have established the world's first nationwide commercial NB-IoT network to provide full-scale services.

KT’s Kim Jun-geun, Head of the GiGA IoT Business Unit, stated, “We will use this as an opportunity to scale up the 600 member companies of the GiGA IoT Alliance and discover startups looking to enter the IoT market.”

An Seong-jun, Head of the IoT Division at LG Uplus, said, “Based on our NB-IoT technology leadership, we plan to continuously pursue mutual growth with domestic SMEs and actively support their entry into the global market.”