KT Opens 'Namguro IDC'... First Introduction of Brand IDC

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] KT announced on the 12th that it has opened the ‘KT Internet Data Center(IDC) Namguro (hereinafter Namguro IDC)’ in Guro-gu, Seoul, and has begun full-scale operations. Namguro IDC is KT’s 14th IDC and can accommodate 335 racks.

Namguro IDC is KT’s first-ever ‘brand IDC.’ Previously, IDCs were established by securing a separate space, building servers, and connecting networks, but brand IDCs rent data centers operated by other businesses and apply KT’s operation system and network.

KT explained, “Until now, KT has directly invested in owned land to launch new IDCs, but as with the Yongsan IDC opened last November, which is already fully booked, there was a limit to handling the explosively increasing demand for data centers recently,” adding, “To respond immediately to such data center demand, we established a brand IDC strategy and opened the first brand IDC in Namguro.”

To open Namguro IDC, KT partnered with DreamMarkOne, a specialized IDC company. DreamMarkOne is a neutral IDC provider equipped with access points that can connect to major domestic and international network operators.

Namguro IDC is located in Guro IT Valley, a southwestern urban area of Seoul where many IT companies are based. Positioned between Sangam and Pangyo, the domestic IT hubs, it is expected to attract significant interest from media and gaming company clients. The direct distance to KT Mokdong1 IDC is 5.1 km, and it is adjacent to major communication facilities in Guro and Hyehwa, enhancing internet speed and minimizing bandwidth latency.

Namguro IDC offers fast network speeds through a ‘One IDC’ structure. One IDC links KT’s IDCs in the metropolitan area (Yongsan, Mokdong1·2, Gangnam, Bundang) into one large IDC, enabling rapid network traffic expansion and scaling. Even if a sudden large volume of traffic occurs at one IDC, data services can be provided without disruption by routing through adjacent IDCs to connect to the backbone network.

Additionally, KT Mokdong1·2 IDC supports seamless infrastructure monitoring through dual control. Since KT’s operation support experts (Meisters) are deployed for Namguro IDC operations, high customer satisfaction in service support is expected. Its location also makes it easy for client IT operation personnel to visit, which is considered an advantage.

To ensure stable service provision, thorough preparations for emergency situations have been made. KT stated, “We have established a ‘2N’ structure that fully duplicates UPS and batteries, and configured substations in dual form to stably support uninterrupted services.” Furthermore, “A three-step security system from the entrance to the server room has been installed to ensure maximum security.”

Lee Mihee, Executive Director of KT Cloud & DX Business Division, said, “As the number one IDC market leader, we opened Namguro IDC as the first ‘brand IDC’ to respond quickly and flexibly to the explosive market demand,” adding, “KT IDC will become the ‘best digital innovation partner’ that helps customers actively cope with unprecedented management environments such as untact and digital new deal.”