Wireless carriers vie to win smart transport system across Korea

[Source: KT Corp.]

South Korean wireless network carriers expanding battlefield in a range of 5G-based businesses are contesting over smart mapping and connectivity to sponsor self-driving vehicles when they hit the roads.

In a press conference Wednesday, KT Corp. said it was bidding to dominate orders from regional governments based on its successful demonstration experience through so-called cooperative intelligence transport system (C-ITS).

KT has so far won the largest number of C-ITS orders in Korea. The company has completed demonstration project for Jeju Special Self-Governing Province in 2020 and established C-ITS in Ulsan last month.

In Jeju, KT realized an emergency vehicle over-ride signal control service that allows ambulances and fire trucks to pass right through without waiting for signals at crossroads for them to arrive on the scenes quickly and safely.

The demonstration project showed actual effects of securing golden time. KT plans to offer the emergency vehicle over-ride signal control service in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, and Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, this year.

KT has also applied the country’s first artificial intelligence-based image analysis solutions to its intelligent transport systems for pedestrian safety considering Ulsan City is an industry-focused region with many vehicle cargos on the roads.

The solutions automatically extend pedestrian signal when disabled, elderly, and children are not done with crossing the road.

KT has won related orders from five local governments – Daejeon, Seongnam, Bucheon, Anyang, and Gwangyang – in addition to those from Jeju and Ulsan.

KT will offer its AI-based signal optimization service in Bucheon in September, which automatically controls traffic signal during rush hour. The AI-based intelligent traffic systems are expected to improve traffic flow.

SK telecom Co. has joined hands with Seoul City to attach several thousands of fifth-generation sensors to signal lights mainly along the median bus lanes.

KT is expanding its presence by winning many orders from local governments whereas SK telecom is establishing C-ITS in the country’s capital Seoul, said an unnamed industry official.

LG Uplus Corp. has a strong presence in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, as ITS-based business operator. Gangneung City joined hands with LG Uplus to resolve traffic jams, illegal parking, and other issues that surged after Pyeonchang hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2018, with intelligent traffic systems.

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