South Korea - Infrastructure and Broadcasting - Historical

Synopsis

South Korea has transformed its economy to one that is more progressively knowledge based. Having invested significantly in ‘basic’ telecommunications infrastructure over past decades, the country has well developed submarine cable and satellite infrastructure as well as solid internet resources to support the growing demand for national and international communications. This report considers those aspects of infrastructure investments along with developments in TV broadcasting including satellite and cable TV and the conversion to digital broadcasting in 2015. This report then considers the ‘new economy’ investments in Smart Infrastructure including Smart Grids and Smart Cities.

Key Developments:

• A contract was awarded in May 2014 to build KOREASAT 5A and KOREASAT 7
• The number of registered domains is decreasing after peaking in 2012
• The number of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are slowly growing.
• country aiming for a nationwide Smart Grid by 2030, with trials underway on Jeju Island;
• New laws have been passed for Smart Grids;
• Green Economy initiatives driving investments in Smart Cities;
• Trials of 3D broadcasts in tandem with regular 2D broadcasts;
• Direct deals by Samsung with companies including Skype and music streamer Spotify .

Companies covered in this report include:

KT; SK Telecom; LG U+; SK Broadband; KARI; SkyLife;