LG Uplus unveils real-time nationwide network control center

LG Uplus employees are responding to unusual situations at the Integrated Control Center. (LG Uplus)

South Korea’s LG Uplus offered the public a first look inside its Integrated Control Center, located at the company’s headquarters in Magok, Gangseo District, Seoul, on Monday. Upon entering the operations room on the first floor, visitors are greeted by a massive 649-inch wall-sized screen dominating one side of the room. The display, consisting of numerous large panels, provided real-time updates on wireless and wired network service quality, equipment status, and customer complaints across the country. The system also tracks performance issues with external services such as messengers, online streaming platforms, gaming, and leisure services integrated with LG Uplus’s network.

In addition to network monitoring, the display aggregated weather updates and disaster alerts from across the country while information related to large-scale events and public gatherings are also streamed continuously. Indicators changed from green to red when anomalies were detected, with the colors shifting dynamically depending on the situation to provide a comprehensive visualization of any issues.

The Integrated Control Center, which began full operations in March 2024, was developed with an investment of more than 10 billion won ($722,000). Spanning two floors and covering 1,410 square meters, the facility serves as the company’s “quality control tower,” ensuring seamless service around the clock.

A standout feature of the center is its use of robotic process automation (RPA) to maintain optimal network quality. RPA is particularly effective during natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes, as well as major events such as fireworks festivals or New Year sunrise celebrations. The system autonomously collects relevant data during such events and emergencies, streamlining decision-making and response efforts.

“If sudden disasters disrupt base stations, the RPA system immediately aggregates damage reports across all equipment nationwide and prioritizes recovery efforts,” Lee Jong-in, head of the Network Infrastructure Control Team, said. He added that the system also helps prevent network overload by alerting field personnel when heavy traffic is anticipated, ensuring smooth service even during crowded events.