On May 12, a passenger ferry departed from Pohang and arrived at Ulleungdo, South Korea's easternmost island, after a six-hour journey across the East Sea. Located about 208 kilometers from the mainland, Ulleungdo is a remote area prone to isolation during severe weather, yet its communication network maintains a level of stability comparable to that of the mainland.
According to KT, approximately 3,800 out of 5,500 households on Ulleungdo are subscribed to internet services, while over 4,200 households use IPTV services.
Yoon Chang-ho, head of KT's Pohang Operations Team in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Access Operations Center, stated, "KT is the only telecom provider offering 10 gigabits per second (10Gbps) internet service on Ulleungdo. Beyond commercial services, we also play a critical role in the national disaster communication network for the Ulleungdo and Dokdo regions."
◇Microwave Backup Network Ensures Connectivity During Cable Disruptions
The backbone of Ulleungdo's communication network is its redundancy structure. The island is connected to the mainland via an undersea fiber optic cable, but disruptions caused by typhoons or underwater accidents can lead to complete communication outages.To mitigate this risk, KT has established a microwave (MW) backup network, the only one of its kind among the three major telecom providers, linking the mainland to Ulleungdo. This network aims to maintain essential national communication and internet services during undersea cable failures.
The Gamulgyo relay station, located in Ulleung-eup, serves as a key point in the maritime communication network connecting Ulleungdo and Dokdo. One side of the station faces Mount Hambak in Gangwon Province, while the other faces Dokdo. Long-term evolution (LTE) antennas are installed at the top of the tower for long-range maritime coverage, with 5G equipment positioned in the middle.
Through this network, KT provides stable services not only to the residents of Ulleungdo but also to distant fishing vessels. Currently, a dedicated team of nine KT employees, including two full-time staff and seven from affiliated companies, is stationed on the island to manage maintenance and respond to outages. Kim Won-hun, deputy head of the Pohang Operations Team, noted, "We are actively installing base stations in the highlands of Ulleungdo to improve overall communication quality."
◇Communication Technology Upholds 'Basic Communication Rights' for Residents
KT's support for communication in remote areas extends to Jukdo and Dokdo, which are affiliated with Ulleungdo.Currently, Jukdo is home to only one resident. KT has established a customized communication support system that converts LTE signals to provide internet services for this individual. As a result, the resident can access the internet and use 5G smartphones.
Lee Chang-ha, head of the engineering team at KT's Daegu-Gyeongbuk Access Operations Center, explained, "Given the challenging environment for installing fiber optic cables, we have adopted a method of converting LTE signals to provide internet services. We regularly check the quality and monitor for any issues."
Dokdo also saw its communication network established by KT in November 2018, becoming the first to do so. Since then, continuous equipment upgrades have allowed for wireless transmission speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
◇Engineers Overcome Snowstorms to Restore Internet on Ulleungdo
Maintaining and managing the communication network on Ulleungdo goes beyond simple facility upkeep. Due to the island's characteristics, which include frequent severe weather and isolation risks, the safety and daily lives of residents are at stake.Jung Hyun-yong, a manager in KT's Southern Daegu Business Support Team, shared his experience of restoring communication equipment during heavy snowfall while working on Ulleungdo. He recounted, "At that time, over 1.2 meters of snow piled up, blocking the entrance to residents' homes. The outdoor internet lines were also severed, so I had to clear the snow and restore the communication facilities on-site."
He added, "For the safety of residents, I spent about an hour digging out the snow. Such situations are common on Ulleungdo."
During winter, severe weather can disrupt ferry services, making it difficult to procure communication materials. In these cases, on-site engineers temporarily install personal equipment or office devices to support internet and TV access for elderly residents.
Kwon Dae-hyun, a manager in KT's Southern Daegu Business Support Team, emphasized, "In Ulleungdo, communication is not just a convenience; it is often tied to safety. Our most important role is to ensure that residents can live without inconvenience."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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