6500 Additional Free Public Wi-Fi Units Installed in Cheonggyecheon, Itaewon, and More

Focused Expansion on Streets, Parks, Traditional Markets, and Tourist Attractions with High Foot Traffic
Data Usage at Gyeongdong Yakryeong Market Increases Sevenfold Compared to Before

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will additionally install 6,500 public Wi-Fi units this year, focusing on areas with high foot traffic such as Cheonggyecheon and Itaewon.

On the 28th, Seoul announced that to enhance citizens' digital welfare, it is collaborating with the Ministry of Science and ICT and telecommunications companies to establish free Wi-Fi throughout the city. In the first half of the year, 4,530 units were installed, and approximately 2,000 more will be added in the second half.

Since 2011, Seoul has been installing free public Wi-Fi and had installed a total of 23,476 units by last year. The expansion focuses on places frequently visited by citizens such as parks, rivers, traditional markets, tourist attractions, as well as social welfare centers and bus stops.

Data usage at 216 newly established or expanded locations (2,373 units) in the first half of this year increased by 4 to 7 times compared to before. The average daily Wi-Fi usage in June also rose from 4,991GB to 7,531GB.

At Dongdaemun Gyeongdong Market, where additional public Wi-Fi was installed, data usage increased from 207GB to 1,500GB. At Olympic Park’s Meeting Plaza and Peace Plaza, data usage also increased more than fourfold (274GB → 1,214GB).

The Cheonggyecheon section from Mojengyo to Dumulmeori, where 113 new units were installed, recorded the highest data usage over the past month at 1,862GB. Data usage of public Wi-Fi also significantly increased at social welfare centers and facilities for the disabled, children and youth, women, and multicultural families.

To improve user convenience and promote public Wi-Fi usage, the city has newly produced usage guide stickers.

Park Jongsu, Director of Smart City Policy at Seoul City, said, "Seoul’s public Wi-Fi installation project has established itself as a successful smart city communication infrastructure model through public-private cooperation. To accompany the digitally disadvantaged, we will expand high-quality public Wi-Fi and actively promote it."

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