Seoul City Resolves Public Wi-Fi Legality Controversy ... Entrusts Seoul Digital Foundation

Cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT, Transition in a Legally Permissible Manner
'Kkachion' Pilot Service to Launch on the 1st of Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Science and ICT, which have been at odds over Seoul's public Wi-Fi project 'Kkachion,' have decided to collaborate jointly.

On the 30th, Seoul and the Ministry of Science and ICT issued a joint statement saying, "There is an opinion that the direct project method independently pursued by local governments conflicts with the current Telecommunications Business Act. After a certain preparation period, the Kkachion service will be entrusted to the Seoul Digital Foundation under the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

Seoul plans to start the Kkachion pilot service as scheduled on the 1st of next month, beginning with Seongdong-gu and Guro-gu, and by mid-November, expand to five autonomous districts including Eunpyeong-gu, Gangseo-gu, and Dobong-gu. After a preparation period, the service will be entrusted to the Seoul Digital Foundation to resolve any legal issues pointed out by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Both parties will also conduct additional practical consultations to enable the Seoul Digital Foundation to secure the status of a telecommunications business operator under the Telecommunications Business Act.

Seoul added that if the city promotes amendments to the relevant provisions of the Telecommunications Business Act through cooperation with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Science and ICT will actively cooperate in the legislative discussions.

Seoul plans to provide a total of 18,450 public Wi-Fi units (7,420 existing + 11,030 new) throughout the city by 2021, and the Ministry of Science and ICT also plans to provide a total of 106,550 public Wi-Fi units nationwide by 2022, including 29,100 bus Wi-Fi units.

Both sides explained, "By closely linking the public Wi-Fi projects, we plan to densely build Wi-Fi in places frequently used by the public such as major roads, plazas, parks, traditional markets, welfare facilities, and buses, leading the implementation of universal communication welfare services for the people."