Ministry of Science and ICT Strengthens Dual Power Supply Network for Communication Disaster Preparedness

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Ministry of Science and ICT has strengthened measures to prepare for new risk factors such as the diversification of power supply networks for major communication facilities and increased traffic during disaster situations like COVID-19.

On the 26th, the Ministry held the 2nd "Telecommunication Disaster Management Deliberation Committee" meeting. At this meeting, the committee reviewed and approved the revised 2020 Basic Plan for Telecommunication Disaster Management, changes to the designation criteria for important communication facilities, and the 2021 guidelines for establishing the Basic Plan for Telecommunication Disaster Management.

Following the strengthening of standards for nationwide network management centers from grade C to grade A at the first meeting in January, the committee reflected the dual power supply network plans submitted by the two upgraded communication companies (KT and LG Uplus). Nationwide network management centers oversee the traffic of major telecommunications operators (the four major telecom companies). The dual power supply network is mandatory for important communication facilities rated B or higher.

The committee also revised the 2020 Basic Plan for Telecommunication Disaster Management to integrate the existing T-broad related content into SK Broadband’s content following the merger of T-broad and SK Broadband. Regarding the designation criteria for important communication facilities, when the communication network of a government complex building is housed in only one communication station, designation criteria for that communication station were established (minimum grade C). Additionally, new designation criteria for communication stations housing media centers of paid broadcasting services were introduced (grades A to C depending on the number of subscribers) to strengthen the stability of paid broadcasting services.

The 2021 guidelines for establishing the Basic Plan for Telecommunication Disaster Management enhanced preparations for new risk factors such as the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and increased traffic due to the normalization of non-face-to-face lifestyles. Following the passage of the amended Firefighting Facilities Act (approved by the National Assembly plenary session on May 20), which requires the installation of firefighting facilities in communication ducts under 500 meters, plans to reinforce firefighting facilities in communication ducts were mandated. A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, "We will continuously review whether there are any neglected areas in the management of important communication facilities and strive to discover and prepare for new risk factors so that the public can use communication services with confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.