KT and Nokia Launch First IoT Lab in South Korea

Some of the hottest growth in the IoT is happening in Asia, and, not to be left behind, South Korea will now be home to its own IoT innovations lab, thanks to a partnership between Nokia and Korean telecommunications company, KT.

This IoT Lab will have three main goals to start: drive the evolution of the country’s IoT ecosystem by verifying potential IoT devices used with Nokia Networks infrastructure, enable Korean companies to enter global markets using Nokia Networks’ global business channels, and create an IoT development contest to vitalize Korea’s industry.

In a release, the lab is an expression of the partner companies’ commitment to foster a “Programmable World” through the convergence of IT and Telecommunications. It will provide IoT-related technical expertise and knowledge to small and medium-sized partner companies in order to lay a foundation for the creation of an ecosystem where everyone and everything is connected.

“Nokia Networks and KT have taken another step forward on an exciting journey that will culminate in the creation of the ‘Programmable World’ in Korea and beyond,” said Andrew Cope, Head of Korea, Nokia Networks “We have now created Korea's first IoT lab - a solid proof-point of our commitment to standardize LTE-M and create a strong and sustainable IoT ecosystem.”

The partnership and initiative is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both companies during Mobile World Congress 2015. KT and Nokia Networks also agreed to implement the world's first LTE-M field trial by the fourth quarter of this year.

The lab, once on-line will host a virtual environment for interworking and network verification on Nokia Networks’ LTE infrastructure and frequent educational events to promote IoT and build a robust knowledge base, in addition to providing technical assistance to smaller Korean companies.

“Together with Nokia Networks, we are leveraging the convergence of IT and Telecommunications to hasten our transformation into an ICT powerhouse,” said Yun Kyoung-Lim, Head of Future Convergence Business Office, KT. “Furthermore, this lab is a strong iteration of our vision to become the number one player in Korea's IoT market. Our efforts are aimed at encouraging greater participation by domestic companies, which are a crucial factor in driving the change towards a creative IoT-based economy.”