Seoul Metro's Cumulative Deficit Reaches 1 Trillion Won, Annual Radio Communication Costs for Unused Walkie-Talkies at 250 Million Won?

Monthly communication fee of 55,000 KRW for LTE walkie-talkies and IoT helmet cams for train wireless (LTE-R), with a total of 610 million KRW spent as of November 2020... Seoul City Councilor Lee Eun-joo demands clear explanation for proceeding with subscription project despite low actual usage and device replacements!

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee member Eun-ju Lee (Democratic Party, Nowon 2) pointed out an issue during the 2020 administrative audit period while dealing with Seoul Metro, highlighting that an annual communication fee of approximately 250 million KRW is being paid for the use of 390 LTE radios and 75 IoT helmet cams for the LTE-R train wireless project.

Seoul Metro began the subscription project for the LTE radio system (including Wall Controller, server, PC), starting with Line 1 in 2015, including LTE radios and IoT helmet cams. After integration of Lines 1 through 8, the contract period for LTE radios and IoT helmet cams was set to 5 years, with a monthly communication fee of 55,000 KRW per device being paid.

Assemblywoman Lee criticized that although this project is clearly a lease business with a definite contract period, it is referred to as a subscription project, making the purpose of the project unclear.

In particular, Assemblywoman Lee stated, “The contract period for this project is basically 30 months with one device replacement, totaling 60 months. Additionally, the replaced outdated devices must belong to the operator. Currently, the planned budget of 600 million KRW has been fully spent, so how will the budget for the additional 30 months be secured? These points raise suspicions that this project may be designed for a single company.”

In response, the head of Seoul Metro’s Technology Headquarters replied, “I understand that communication-related projects are classified as subscription projects rather than contracts. Also, participation by other companies would require building a separate system, and the remaining communication fees are paid within the budget scope, so there is no problem.”

Assemblywoman Lee further mentioned that the LTE radios are actually neglected on site. Even during LEVEL 1 or higher incidents (so-called emergencies), the radios have never been used, and she questioned whether the project purpose of providing radios as substitutes for mobile phones is disconnected from reality.

She also pointedly asked whether the radios were actually used during the derailment and suicide incident at Changdong Station, the train collision accident at Sanggye Station, and the derailment accident at Balsan Station.

In response, the head of Seoul Metro’s Technology Headquarters said, “I have heard some of those comments from employees. However, LTE radios are not for commercial use but for emergencies, and since there are no radios inside trains on Lines 5 to 8, they are essential. Regarding the use of radios during the Changdong, Sanggye, and Balsan Station accidents, VHF radios exist inside trains on Lines 1 to 4, and we were informed that radios were used during the Balsan Station accident. We will verify and report on this, and also prepare additional measures such as training regarding employees’ usage.”

Finally, Assemblywoman Lee emphasized, “According to the reported data, LTE radios are necessary for the preparation period of the train wireless equipment project. Line 5 has already been upgraded from VHF to LTE-R due to the extension of the Hanam Line, and other lines are also undergoing upgrade projects for this purpose. However, there is still a discrepancy as radios are currently operating with the VHF method. Seoul Metro must clearly explain the exact budget process and the necessity of the LTE radio and train wireless equipment (LTE-R) project.”

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