SKT Wins Contract for Communication Network Construction Project on Busan Metro Lines 2 to 4

SK Telecom announced on the 19th that it has secured the project to build the "Integrated Railway Wireless Communication Service (LTE-R)" for Busan Metro Lines 2 to 4, as well as the ultra-high-speed wired communication network for Lines 3 and 4.

Following the completion of Busan Metro Line 1 in 2017, SKT has been recognized by Busan Transportation Corporation as the LTE-R construction contractor for Lines 2 to 4. Both parties held a kickoff meeting for the project commencement on the same day, and after completing detailed design, full-scale construction will begin with a planned completion date of October 2026.

A scene of checking the situation through the LTE-R network at the Busan Metro control room.
[Photo by SKT]

LTE-R is a wireless communication system developed by applying 4th generation LTE mobile communication technology to railways. It uses the same frequency band (700MHz) as the national disaster safety communication network (PS-LTE), enabling interoperability. Because it can quickly transmit large volumes of voice, video, and data information for railway traffic operation and control, it is currently applied to most railway networks.

In existing railway wireless communication, only voice calls and simple text messages between personnel were possible. However, with the LTE-R network, control centers, train drivers, station staff, and rescue workers can simultaneously exchange information in various ways such as real-time video transmission, group calls, and text messages. For example, in an emergency, real-time video from the accident train can be shared at once with the control center, preceding and following trains, and related agencies, enabling rapid cause identification and systematic response.

To build LTE-R, an ultra-high-speed wired communication backbone network (the core network that plays a central role in the communication network) is required, and the ultra-high-speed wired communication network for Lines 3 and 4 will be constructed simultaneously. Line 2 will utilize the already established wired network.

The biggest distinction in this project is that, for the first time in Korea, the main control devices of LTE-R will be dualized by establishing two separate locations. In case the main control device in a specific area malfunctions due to natural disasters or fires, it can immediately switch to the other location to prevent accidents and improve train operation efficiency.

Meanwhile, Busan Transportation Corporation plans to promote a "Digital Transformation" to upgrade Busan Metro into a safe smart station, starting with the LTE-R construction for Lines 2 to 4.

Since winning the LTE-R project for Busan Metro Line 1 in 2015 and completing it in 2017, SKT has been carrying out numerous LTE-R construction projects. In particular, SKT supports safe urban railway services by handling the construction of the largest number of LTE-R center facilities domestically, including Gimpo Metro, Seoul Metro Hanam Line (Line 5 extension), Incheon Metro Line 1 Songdo Dalbit Festival Park Station project, and Dongbuk Line urban railway.

Kim Kyung-deok, head of SKT Enterprise CIC, stated, "Based on continuous technological innovation, SKT will strive to provide safer and more differentiated LTE-R services," adding, "We will cooperate based on the MOU to achieve digital transformation for railway operation efficiency and passenger service improvement."

Lee Byung-jin, president of Busan Transportation Corporation, said, "Starting with the world’s first construction of Line 1 in 2017, we have now built the integrated railway wireless network (LTE-R) for all lines, and through this, citizens will be able to use the urban railway more safely and conveniently."

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