KEPCO, First Public Enterprise to Expand Disaster Safety Communication Network from 'Disaster Site to Headquarters'

Rapid Situation Dissemination and Response Enabled... Full Operation Started Last Month

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) has become the first public enterprise to expand the 'Disaster Safety Communication Network (PS-LTE)' that enables rapid situation transmission and response from disaster sites to headquarters.

KEPCO announced on the 8th that it has introduced and expanded PS-LTE customized for KEPCO to build an integrated disaster safety management system and has begun full-scale operation since last month.

PS-LTE is a 700MHz band wireless network established by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to strengthen command at disaster sites and facilitate smooth mutual communication among disaster safety-related agencies, following the Sewol ferry disaster. KEPCO also participates as an involved agency and utilizes it for its operations.

Korea Electric Power Corporation Naju Headquarters building. (File photo)

KEPCO has newly established equipment expansion standards, integrated operation procedures, and manuals by dividing PS-LTE usage into disaster management and on-site safety management purposes. The number of terminals, originally 291 units, has been expanded to 987 units, laying the foundation for a nationwide real-time disaster safety response system.

A KEPCO official said, "By utilizing PS-LTE, we have transformed the previously vertical reporting system, which was a limitation of the existing communication network, into a horizontal reporting system, enabling rapid situation transmission and response from disaster sites to headquarters." He added, "Through the establishment of such a disaster safety response system, we will continuously advance the system to promptly alleviate public anxiety and inconvenience in any disaster situation."

In addition, KEPCO is further expanding 733 terminals to efficiently manage the vast power facilities nationwide and prevent accidents in safety blind spots.

KEPCO plans to continue strengthening safety management of power facilities even during normal times while building a close cooperative system using PS-LTE with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, local governments, and related agencies for flexible response in case of disasters.