Koryolink

Koryolink (Korean: 고려링크, styled as koryolink) is a North Korean wireless telecommunications provider. The company is a cellular operator held by Cheo Technology, a joint venture between Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding (OTMT) which holds 75% of the shares, and the state-owned Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC). Koryolink started in 2008 and was the first 3G mobile operator in North Korea.[1]

Koryolink
고려링크
TypeJoint venture
IndustryTelecommunication
Founded2008
HeadquartersPyongyang
Area served
Pyongyang, and 14 additional cities and eight highways and railways.
ProductsTelephony, Mobile Network Access
RevenueUS$ 5.8 million
ParentGlobal Telecom Holding S.A.E. (75%)
Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation (25%)
Websiteintranet Homepage Kwangmyung

It offers service in Pyongyang and five additional cities as well as along eight highways and railways. Phone numbers on the network are prefixed with +850 (0)1912. Despite being a 3G network, there is no Internet access (only Intranet access) for domestic users. Although as of April 2014, mobile internet access for foreigners with limited speed or traffic amount was available at a comparably high price.[2]

History

Orascom Telecom Holding was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in North Korea in January 2008. Koryolink has deployed its 3G network to initially cover Pyongyang, which has a population of more than two million people, with an ambitious plan to expand its coverage to the entire country.

When Koryolink launched, the move was controversial for Egypt-based Orascom as North Korea was under international sanctions since it led nuclear tests in 2006.[3]

At network launch in December 2008, the network had 5,300 subscribers.[4] Orascom reported 47,873 subscribers in June 2009,[5] then 432,000 North Korean subscribers in December 2010,[6] increasing to 809,000 by September 2011,[7] and exceeding one million by February 2012.[8] By April 2013, subscriber numbers neared two million.[9] In 2011, 99.9% of Koryolink customers had 3G access.[10]

In 2015 subscriber numbers exceeded three million and the network was profitable. However, the Government of North Korea refused permission to transfer profits from North Korea to Orascom and even started a second carrier (Kangsong Net) to compete with Koryolink.[11] As result Orascom in its financial result reported, that it lost control over Koryolink's activities.[1][12]

Following tightened sanctions on North Korea by the UN Security Council, Orascom was granted an exemption in September 2018 to continue with the Koryolink operations in North Korea.[13] The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2375 was to be obtained by 9 January 2018 to keep Orascom's DPRK operations legal.[14]

Use by foreigners

On February 26, 2013, Koryolink made internet service available for foreigners, at the cost of $192 for 2GB;[15] about a month later, on March 29, this was discontinued. A Koryolink official stated that 3G internet service would still be available for certain long-term residents such as diplomatic staff.[16]

Government control

According to Orascom, the North Korean government monitors all network activities since at least 2009.[17][18] Only calls within North Korea are allowed on Koryolink. However, smuggled phones have been used just over the border in China to International Direct Dialing.[19]

In February 2012, the government denied having banned users from the internet during the mourning period of Kim Jong-il.[20]

In September 2014, Koryolink fixed a loophole that enabled its domestic users to get international calls and internet access designed for tourists only.[21]

In 2016, Orascom admitted to have problems with repatriating profits because of international sanctions against North Korea, and stated that it was looking for a solution to this problem.[22] It was suggested that a merger with state-owned carrier Byol could be on the table, yet "the resulting entity would not be controlled by Orascom, meaning that the Egyptian firm has already effectively ceded control of Koryolink."[22]

References
  1. Williams, Martyn (18 November 2015). "How a telecom investment in North Korea went horribly wrong". Network World. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. "Kim Jong Un's Hauptstadt". Nordkorea-Marathon (in German). 12 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
  3. Martyn Williams (17 November 2015). "How a telecom investment in North Korea went horribly wrong". Pcworld.com. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  4. "Orascom reports DPRK profits". Nkeconwatch.com. 28 June 2009. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  5. Martyn Williams (26 August 2009). "North Korean 3G customers double in Q2". Northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  6. Orascom Telecom Holding First Quarter 2011 Results Archived 2012-04-12 at the Wayback Machine, page 29, Orascomtelecom.com (accessed 20 May 2011)
  7. Orascom Telecom Holding Third Quarter 2011 Results Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine, page 30 Orascomtelecom.com (accessed 28 April 2012)
  8. Alaa Shahine (2 February 2012). "Orascom Telecom Media Shares Jump After North Korea Announcement". Bloomberg. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  9. "North Korea embraces 3G service". BBC. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  10. Martyn Williams (12 January 2011). "North Korea tops 3G ranking". Northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  11. Ricks, Thomas E.; Kim, Yonho (2016-03-17). "North Korea's silent hard currency source: That cellphone business with Orascom". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  12. Lankov, Andrei (6 February 2017). "The limits of North Korea's meager economic growth". NK News.
  13. "UPDATE 1-Orascom's Koryolink JV granted right to operate in North Korea". Reuters.com. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  14. Chad O'Carroll (21 December 2017). "Koryolink cellphone service will continue operations in North Korea: Orascom". Nknews.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  15. Park Seong Guk (26 February 2013). "Daily NK - Koryolink Mobile Internet Launched". Daily NK. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  16. Cho Jong Ik (29 March 2013). "Daily NK - Tourist Internet Cut after a Month". Daily NK. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  17. Martyn Williams (21 February 2011). "Report: Cell phone rentals to visitors suspended". Northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  18. Williams, Martyn (22 July 2019). "North Korea's Koryolink: Built for Surveillance and Control". 38 North. The Henry L. Stimson Center. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  19. Lee, Dave (2015-05-29). "Bureau 121: How good are Kim Jong-un's elite hackers?". BBC News. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  20. Martyn Williams (15 February 2012). "North Korea cell phone ban report incorrect, says Orascom". Northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  21. Martyn Williams (2 September 2014). "Koryolink moves to plug censorship loophole". Northkoreatech.org. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  22. Barton, James. "Koryolink no longer under Orascom's control". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
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