Telecom companies build submarine fiber optic cable between Jeju, Udo

[Photo by Yonhap]

South Korea’s three major telecommunications carriers - SK telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp. - announced on Thursday that they built an around 3.23-kilometer undersea fiber optic cable between Jeju and Udo islands in a consortium with KCTV Jeju Broadcasting.

The cable is expected to expand the capacity of fifth generation (5G) mobile communication and long-term evolution (LTE) services on Udo Island as well as laying the foundation for high-speed internet services and responding to the island’s growing demand for communication.

The telecom companies and KCTV Jeju Broadcasting signed a consortium agreement in September 2020, and have since conducted marine surveys, safety assessments, and consultations on the use of the sea area, as well as applying for permission to occupy and use the shared public waters and communicating with residents in preparation for the installation of the submarine cable.

“We will continue to improve the quality of communication in maritime and island areas while creating new social values,” Lee Jong-hoon, vice president and head of infrastructure engineering at SK telecom, said.