KT's 'Air Map Korea' Project
After Selecting 1,500 Optimal Locations Through Big Data Analysis, Will Install and Operate Until Next Year

Domestic fine dust is becoming increasingly severe. With research reports indicating that fine dust will persist for over 20 years, South Korea ranks among the worst in fine dust exposure levels among OECD countries. On the 20th, KT held a press briefing and announced plans to install IoT-based air quality measurement devices throughout the nation utilizing ICT infrastructure to address fine dust issues.

The IoT-based air quality measurement devices to be installed in cooperation with domestic specialized companies measure six types of air quality data—ultrafine dust, fine dust, volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, noise, and humidity—on a minute-by-minute basis.

KT's 'Air Map Korea' project will collect and analyze nationwide pedestrian traffic data, meteorological data, and hazardous facility data by year-end, and select 1,500 optimal locations from among 5 million ICT infrastructure assets (telephone poles, base stations, public phone booths, telecommunications facilities, etc.) capable of effectively measuring air quality. The measurement devices will be installed by the first quarter of next year, with data provided to the government.
KT signed an 'IoT-Based Air Quality Environmental Improvement Agreement' with Jeju City in April and has been constructing and operating an air quality measurement network. Additionally, schools that have partnered and established air quality data are currently operating pilot services, such as conducting physical education activities in gymnasiums based on outdoor air quality conditions.
Once air quality measurement devices are installed and big data utilization systems are established, benefits include: ▲identifying fine dust pathways to determine root causes, ▲enabling water trucks to move to areas with high fine dust concentrations, ▲selecting high-traffic pedestrian areas with elevated fine dust levels to cultivate plants effective in fine dust reduction such as moss, and ▲forecasting dispersal areas to send advance warnings.
Kim Hyung-wook, Executive Vice President of KT Platform Business Planning, stated to enhance the credibility of IoT measurement devices, which have a smaller scale and lower cost compared to government equipment: "There are currently no established standards for measurement values. We are working to increase credibility by installing devices alongside government-built networks and conducting comparisons. Once the government distributes guidelines, we will verify and install high-credibility equipment accordingly."

Kim further mentioned previous examples of KT's big data analysis technology capabilities, such as tracking infectious disease pathways and operating late-night bus services, stating: "After gaining recognition for the reliability of fine dust data analysis technology, we plan to open the data to the general public through consultation with the government so that anyone can access the information."