On January 14, 2020, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) announced that the first phase of the Korean nationwide Public-Safety Long Term Evolution (PS-LTE) network had been completed. It is the world's first public-safety communication network based on LTE, transmitting voice, photos, and videos.

In particular, standard operating procedures are being developed for unified communications among the various users, such as the National Police Agency (NPA), the Korean National Fire Agency (NFA), the Korea Coast Guard (KCG), and 243 local governments.

Previously, there were some limitations between the agencies to share real-time information or respond to disaster situations efficiently using commercial networks such as VHF / UHF radios. Through the PS-LTE network, however, the Korean government can now use a single integrated communication network with other agencies.

In March, the NPA started using the PS-LTE network in Sejong Special Self-governing City and three provinces (Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Gangwon-do). It is expected to be available nationwide by the end of the year. The network will enable the agencies to respond quickly and effectively in the event of disasters or crises, such as forest fires, urban fires, or sinking of ships, etc.

Since it can transmit real-time videos at the disaster site anywhere in the country, it will help the government to facilitate an efficient decision-making and effective cooperation with the agencies.

The government built three operation centers in Seoul Metropolitan Government, Daegu Metropolitan City, and Jeju Special Self-governing Province for the stability of the transmission. Consequently, all the services will be seamlessly continued by using active configuration, real-time database duplication, and automatic switchover.

Also, it plans to improve various consolidated services for coverage verification and enhancements by using artificial intelligence (AI) decision making, drone utilization, and internet of things (IoT)-based ecosystem.

While working with Korea Telecom and SK Telecom, the MOIS will complete Phase Two by June this year. Moreover, the MOIS plans to convert the national public-safety communication network to 5G after consultation with the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

Source: a press release (Korean version) of Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), January 15, 2020