LTE data traffic expected to increase by 15.4%
Intensive monitoring of bell-ringing and sunrise viewing spots

To handle the surge in data and service usage during the year-end and New Year holidays, the three mobile carriers have designated a special network management period and entered into an emergency operation system.

SK Telecom predicted that due to the surge in traffic during the year-end and New Year holidays, the number of LTE service attempts nationwide would increase by 7% and LTE data traffic by 15.4% compared to normal levels. It also forecasts that the number of service attempts will more than double at locations where bell-ringing ceremonies are held at midnight on January 1st, transitioning into the New Year, such as Bosingak in Seoul (385%) and Gukchae Bosang Park in Daegu (285%).

Accordingly, SK Telecom has completed preliminary capacity expansion work for base stations nationwide, focusing on busy areas, shopping centers, and ski resorts where traffic is expected to increase. In addition, the company plans to deploy 18 mobile base stations at bell-ringing venues and sunrise viewing spots to ensure quality control so that customers can use mobile communication services seamlessly.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom announced that it will provide free winter gear and charging services at locations such as Namsan Palgakjeong and Pohang Homigot for customers heading out to watch the sunrise. In addition, a temporary mobile phone repair service center is set up on Gwangan Bridge to provide customer convenience.

In addition, to prepare for the surge in smishing messages disguised as greeting texts, we plan to ensure full customer protection by rapidly detecting smishing messages using the intelligent smishing detection program, 'Smart-Eye' system.

KT Designates 11 Days from the 22nd to January 1st as Special Network Management Period

KT has designated the period from the 22nd to January 1st of next year as a special network management period and is entering an emergency operation system to provide stable communication services to customers during the year-end and New Year holidays.

We deploy an average of about 350 personnel daily to major sites nationwide, including network control centers, to perform 24-hour special monitoring and maintain an emergency recovery system that monitors events such as traffic overload in real time to dispatch and restore emergency situations.

In addition, KT designated 146 major densely populated areas across the country, including bell-ringing and sunrise viewing spots where crowds gather during the year-end and New Year holidays, as special network management areas, and completed preliminary network quality optimization work such as adding a total of 73 mobile base stations and increasing base station capacity.

In preparation for cyber attacks during the year-end and New Year holidays, we plan to thoroughly respond by strengthening our real-time monitoring and response system for DDoS attacks and proactively blocking the distribution of smishing text messages impersonating "Christmas gift delivery" or "New Year's greetings" to prevent any damage to our customers.

Executive Vice President Kim Young-sik, Head of KT INS (Intelligent Network Service) Division, &"We will strengthen thorough network quality management and real-time monitoring systems so that customers can enjoy a happy holiday season without inconvenience this year as well," he said.

LG Uplus Optimizes Key Hub Areas and Expands Base Station Capacity

LG Uplus carried out optimization and base station capacity expansion focusing on downtown commercial areas, department stores/shopping centers, ski resorts, and highways where traffic is expected to increase, such as at Bosingak in Seoul and Yongdusan Park in Busan for the bell-ringing ceremony.

Ten mobile base stations are planned to be installed in major areas to prepare for emergencies, including the Jonggak bell-ringing ceremony where crowds gather, and Jeongdongjin in Gangneung, Homigot in Pohang, Ganjeolgot in Ulsan, and Seongsan Ilchulbong in Jeju, where large numbers of visitors flock to see the sunrise during the year-end and New Year holidays.

LG Uplus has opened a comprehensive emergency situation room at its Sangam headquarters and is strengthening real-time monitoring of network traffic surges and outages around the year-end and New Year holidays. In addition, field operations personnel are being deployed to major event areas to distribute emergency traffic and ensure a rapid response on-site.