In South Korea, which counts over 8.4 million fourth-generation long-term evolution (LTE) network users and recently became the first country to pass 100 percent wireless penetration as free Wi-Fi services are now being offered at over 1,000 public areas across the country. The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) is planning a joint collaboration with the country’s top telecommunication providers to launch free WiFi in public areas nationwide. According to an official statement, the Wi-Fi networks were developed to prevent the overlap of wireless networks and allow convenient Internet access regardless of telecommunications service provider. Free Wi-Fi is now available in public service centres such as bus terminals, train stations, and airports, as well as regional cultural centres, libraries, athletics facilities, national public hospitals, welfare centres, and select tourist spots. Visitors will find a Public Wi-Fi logo at areas that offer the service. Using the network is as easy as selecting the network entitled “Public WiFi Free” and logging in with your user information at the shared login page. A complete directory of the locations of public Wi-Fi spots can be accessed at the websites of the KCC and the National Information Society Agency.
International e-Gov Update
South Korea Extended Free Public WiFi Nationwide
From January 2013 • Informatics, National Informatics Centre