KT-Originated Network Distrust "Major Operators Recognize the Serious Situation"

Ministry of Science and ICT Holds Network Stability Task Force Meeting on the 2nd
Heo Seong-wook, Head of Network Office, "We Must Restore Public Trust"
Sharing Best Practices by Company... Considering Strengthening Regulations

On the morning of the 1st, KT held a press conference at the KT headquarters in Gwanghwamun and announced that it had finalized a compensation plan for damages amounting to 35 to 40 billion won. Seo Chang-seok, Head of KT Network Innovation TF (Executive Vice President), and other executives are bowing their heads in apology. Photo by Cha Min-young

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Following the KT nationwide wired and wireless internet network outage on the 25th of last month, major telecommunications operators including the three mobile carriers gathered and expressed agreement that "this is not just KT's problem."

Heo Seong-wook, Director of the Network Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, met with reporters on the afternoon of the 2nd at the Korea Information and Communication Contractors Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, after the 'Network Stability Measures Task Force' concluded, stating, "The operators are well aware of the seriousness of the situation where they must regain public trust."

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Science and ICT, the main government agency, telecom operators and public-private experts will meet frequently for about one month until early December to brainstorm. Since there are significant differences among companies regarding outsourcing standards for network management, work procedures, and safety regulations, they seek an ideal direction through comparison.

Director Heo said, "While investigating KT last time, we first presented the operators with directions to improve the technical difficulties and issues we observed, and today, the operators each provided their own responses."

He added, "In KT's case, although manuals and systems were all in place, they did not function properly on-site. We discussed extensively two approaches: measures to improve inspection and monitoring, and technical alternatives such as introducing systems instead of human command and control."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the industry response is that it is practically difficult to complete a nationwide roaming system related to their core business, the core network. After the KT Ahyeon station fire in 2018, the government, together with the three mobile carriers, established a disaster roaming system so that even if a specific telecom company's service is cut off due to fire or other incidents, calls and texts can be made through other carriers, similar to international roaming.

Director Heo said, "We agreed that if operation is disrupted for about two days like during the Ahyeon station fire, roaming is appropriate. But in the case of this recent incident, we discussed what would be the best approach. We have not reached a conclusion yet."

The government also suggested that telecom operators need future-oriented network investments. Director Heo said, "Networks continue to evolve, but because costs are considered, outsourcing issues keep arising regarding inspection systems. The academic community also emphasized the importance of future investments, and operators agreed to consider this together."

They are also deliberating on strengthening legal regulations. The enforcement ordinance of the Disaster Safety Communication Network Act, which includes penalty criteria for acts that hinder the smooth use of disaster safety communication networks, is scheduled to be enacted starting next month on the 9th.

Director Heo stated, "Some have suggested regulating inspection intervals, which have been voluntary until now, by specifying the number of times, but we are still considering this. When it comes to making a final decision, operators may act autonomously, but if that fails, the government may intervene. We will know after trying."

They are also seeking best practices regarding the common industry practice of outsourcing. He said, "There were good examples of grouping by assessing the importance of issues and distinguishing stages where outsourcing is possible. Since each operator excels in different areas, they will likely learn from each other and adopt similar approaches."

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