North Korea - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Executive summary

North Korea’s Telecoms Market continues to struggle

North Korea possesses an underdeveloped yet growing market which has markedly improved in recent years as noted by growing mobile penetration. North Korea’s telecoms infrastructure developed largely through foreign investment.

The market penetration of fixed lines in service in North Korea has been gradually declining over the past 10 years, although the overall number of fixed lines in services has remained stable. Fixed broadband penetration remains relatively low in North Korea compared to other Asian nations.

The North Korean mobile market has seen strong growth over the past five years however from a very small base compared to other Asian countries.

CHEO Technology (Koryolink), reportedly halted operations and transferred its subscriber base to the nation’s only other MNO, GSM services provider Kang Song NET which is believed to be a wholly state-owned company.

Egypt’s Orascom Investment Holdings announced that it has been granted an exemption from the United Nations (UN) to continue to operate CHEO Technology (Koryolink), its JV mobile business with North Korea’s Post and Telecommunication Company.

Moderate to strong growth is predicted over the next five years to 2023, however mobile penetration in North Korea is predicted to remain well below that of other Asian nations due to government restrictions.

North Korea has taken steps towards developing a digital economy as part of efforts to modernize its economy as well as a means to generate export income, especially in the field of IT services. E-education initiatives have been launched to improve access to learning while e-commerce sites have launched.

North Korea’s mobile market is a major driver of telecoms infrastructure development. A 3G only network has been deployed providing almost universal population coverage. Fibre optic links connect major cities and network capacity has been upgraded using fibre optic technology platforms such as Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM).

Key developments:

• CHEO Technology (Koryolink), reportedly halted operations and transferred its subscriber base to the nation’s only other MNO.
• Egypt’s Orascom Investment Holdings was granted an exemption from the UN to continue to operate CHEO Technology (Koryolink).
• The percentage of fixed lines in service in North Korea has been steadily declining over the past 10 years.
• The North Korean mobile market has seen strong growth over the past five years however from a very small base compared to other countries.

Companies mentioned in this report:

North Korea Post and Telecommunications Corp (NKPTC); NEAT&T; SUN NET; Loxley Pacific; Lancelot Holdings; Orascom, Star JV.

Table of Contents

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