Seoul to relax regulations to allow wireless EV charging, IoT on smartphones

[Source : National Tax Service Blog]

The South Korean government will ease regulatory hurdles to allow wireless charging for electric vehicles and Internet of Things (IoT) access devices, which are expected to attract more than 3.25 trillion won ($2.37 billion) investment from the private sector for national digital transformation.

The government aims to allow wireless charging for EVs as early as next month, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT on Wednesday. This is one of the 12 regulatory innovation tasks released by the ministry during a government meeting on deregulation plans in the information technology sector presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the same day.

The ministry said the government will announce frequency spectrums (85kHz) for contactless EV charging within this year after completing applicable legal procedures next month.

Wireless charging is regarded as one of key infrastructure projects to increase vehicle electrification as EV owners get their vehicle charged without plug connection or card tagging.

The government will also lower the bar for the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for portable devices to make it more convenient to use Internet of Things (IoT) services on smartphones.

With this radio-based technology for short-range wireless apps, users can unlock doors just by walking closer to the door or find misplaced items at home.

The Korean government will also improve in-facility equipment inspection for semiconductor manufactures by allowing wireless inspection from outside the building when those facilities are equipped with an electromagnetic wave shielding system.

The frequency allocation process will also be simplified to bring vitality to e-UM 5G, a 5G network approved to provide customized services in specific areas, while eliminating the wireless station licensing process for terminals connected to e-UM 5G, such as robots and intelligent CCTVs.

In addition, not only a copper wire-based system but also a VoIP service through optical cables will be available for new fixed-line phone services.

The government expects the latest deregulations will lead the private sector to invest more than 3.25 trillion won in these areas by 2030.

By Minu Kim