Telecommunications in North Korea Domestic and International Connections

In North Korea, telecommunications play a crucial role in the country's infrastructure. The government tightly controls the telecommunications sector, with the state-owned Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC) being the primary provider.

Domestically, North Korea has a relatively well-developed network of phone lines, with around 3.5 million fixed-line subscribers as of 2020. Mobile phone usage is also widespread, with over 10 million subscribers.

The country's international connections, however, are severely limited. North Korea has a limited number of international phone lines, and internet access is heavily restricted, with most citizens having no access to the global network.

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In North Korea, telephone services have a long history dating back to the 1970s. By 1970, automatic switching facilities were in use in several major cities, including Pyongyang, Sinŭiju, Hamhŭng, and Hyesan.

Most phones in North Korea are installed for senior government officials, and to get one, you need to fill out a form indicating your rank, why you want a phone, and how you'll pay for it. This process is quite restrictive.

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A few public telephone booths started appearing in Pyongyang around 1990, and by the mid-1990s, an automated exchange system was installed in Pyongyang, based on an E-10A system produced by Alcatel joint-venture factories in China.

By 2008, North Korea had an adequate telephone system with 1.18 million fixed lines available, but most of these were installed in government offices, collective farms, and state-owned enterprises. Fiber-optic cable had also been extended to the port of Nampho and North Pyong'an Province by 2000.

North Korean mobile phones were introduced in November 2002, and by November 2003, 20,000 people had bought them. However, mobile phones were banned from 2004 to 2008.

The official name of the 3G mobile phone service in North Korea is Koryolink, a joint venture between Orascom and the state-owned Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC). It has been in operation since December 2008 and has a large demand for the service.

By May 2010, over 120,000 North Koreans owned mobile phones, and by 2015, the number had grown to three million. However, mobile phones are still subject to strict control measures, with a digital signature system to prevent access to unsanctioned files and logging of usage information.

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Here's a breakdown of the growth of mobile phone subscribers in North Korea:

By 2017, 69% of households in North Korea had a mobile phone, and by 2020, no mobile phones could dial into or out of the country, and there was no Internet connection.

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North Korea's internet infrastructure is severely limited, with only a small percentage of the population having access to the global internet.

The country's internet is heavily censored, with restricted access to foreign websites and online services.

North Korea has a single, state-controlled ISP, Star JV, which is a joint venture between the government and a foreign company.

Internet access in North Korea is often slow and unreliable, with speeds of around 1.5 Mbps in major cities.

Access to media in North Korea is heavily restricted, but it's not impossible. North Koreans, particularly elite elements, have increasing access to news and other media outside the state-controlled media authorized by the government.

While access to the Internet is tightly controlled, radio and DVDs are common media accessed, and in border areas, television. As of 2011, USB flash drives were selling well in North Korea, primarily used for watching South Korean dramas and films on personal computers.

Television broadcasting in North Korea is tightly controlled by the state and is used as a propaganda arm of the ruling Korean Workers' Party. The Korean Central Television station is located in Pyongyang, and there are also stations in major cities, including Chŏngjin, Kaesŏng, Hamhŭng, Haeju, and Sinŭiju.

In North Korea, mobile subscriptions are estimated to be around 6.5-7 million, despite a population of only 24 million people.

Pre-paid SIM cards can be purchased by visitors to make international calls, but not domestic calls.

Internet access is only available to resident foreigners and not tourists, and foreigners previously had to surrender their phones at the border crossing or airport before entering the country.

However, with the availability of local SIM cards, this policy is no longer in place.

North Korea's first Internet café opened in 2002 as a joint venture with South Korean Internet company Hoonnet.

It's connected via a land line to China, which is a rare exception in the country's otherwise isolated internet infrastructure.

Foreign visitors can link their computers to the Internet through international phone lines available in a few hotels in Pyongyang.

A new Internet café opened in Pyongyang in 2005, connected through the North Korean satellite link.

Content in these cafes is most likely filtered by North Korean government agencies.

North Korea has a limited number of international connections, but they are slowly improving.

International fixed line connections consist of a network connecting Pyongyang to Beijing and Moscow, and Chongjin to Vladivostok.

Communications were opened with South Korea in 2000, marking a significant step forward in North Korea's international connectivity.

A direct land link between Russia and North Korea was established in 2007 through a fiber-optic transmission line built by TransTeleCom Company and the North Korean government.

Since joining Intersputnik in 1984, North Korea has operated 22 lines of frequency-division multiplexing and 10 lines of single channel per carrier for communication with Eastern Europe.

North Korea also has a satellite ground station near Pyongyang that provides direct international communications using the International Telecommunications Satellite Corporation (Intelsat) Indian Ocean satellite.

Here is a list of some of North Korea's international connections:

North Korea's telecommunications infrastructure is surprisingly robust, with a network of fiber-optic cables connecting major cities and a satellite system that allows the country to communicate with the rest of the world.

The country's internet access is limited to a select few, including government officials, academics, and a small group of privileged citizens.

North Korea's international fiber-optic cables are connected to China's undersea cables, which provide a direct link to the global internet.

The country's domestic internet is isolated from the global network, with users accessing the internet through a domestic intranet called the "Kwangmyong" network.

North Korea's satellite system is used for communication with other countries, as well as for broadcasting domestic television and radio programs.

The country's telecommunications system is heavily controlled by the government, with all international calls and internet access monitored and censored.

The government also operates a number of state-run telecommunications companies, including Koryolink, which provides mobile phone services to a limited number of subscribers.

North Korea has made significant investments in satellite and fiber optic telecommunications. A satellite ground station near Pyongyang provides direct international communications using the International Telecommunications Satellite Corporation (Intelsat) Indian Ocean satellite.

North Korea's first optical fiber cable network was installed in 1995, connecting Pyongyang to Hamhung with 480 Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) lines and 6 automatic exchange stations. The nationwide land leveling and rezoning campaign initiated by Kim Jong-il facilitated the construction of provincial and county fiber optic lines.

A direct land link between Russia and North Korea was established in 2007 through a fiber-optic transmission line connecting the Khasan–Tumangang railway checkpoint. This link was built with STM-1 level digital equipment and has the possibility of further increasing bandwidth.

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The construction of fiber optic lines in North Korea began with the building of the Pyongyang Fiber Optic Cable Factory in April 1992.

The country's first optical fiber cable network was installed in September 1995, consisting of 480 pulse-code modulation (PCM) lines and 6 automatic exchange stations from Pyongyang to Hamhung.

Tens of thousands of KPA soldier-builders and provincial shock brigade members were mobilized for large-scale public works projects to rehabilitate arable lands devastated by natural disasters in the late 1990s.

The nationwide land leveling and rezoning campaign initiated by Kim Jong-il in Kangwon province in May 1998 and in North Pyongan province in January 2000 facilitated the construction of provincial and county fiber optic lines.

International fixed line connections in North Korea consist of a network connecting Pyongyang to Beijing and Moscow, and Chongjin to Vladivostok.

Communications were opened with South Korea in 2000, and a fiber-optic transmission line was constructed and jointly operated with Russia in 2007.

The technology transfer for the fiber-optic transmission line was built around STM-1 level digital equipment with the possibility of further increasing bandwidth.

North Korea has operated 22 lines of frequency-division multiplexing and 10 lines of single channel per carrier for communication with Eastern Europe since joining Intersputnik in 1984.

Satellite Access is a vital component of North Korea's communication infrastructure. A satellite ground station near Pyongyang provides direct international communications using the International Telecommunications Satellite Corporation (Intelsat) Indian Ocean satellite.

This station was installed in 1986 with French technical support. An agreement to share in Japan's telecommunications satellites was reached in 1990.

North Koreans, particularly elite elements, have increasing access to news and other media outside the state-controlled media. This is despite extremely strict regulations and draconian penalties.

Access to the Internet is tightly controlled, but radio and DVDs are common media accessed. In border areas, television is also available.

Here are some of North Korea's satellite communications facilities:

Kwangmyong is a North Korean "walled garden" national intranet opened in 2000. It's accessible from within North Korea's major cities, counties, as well as universities and major industrial and commercial organizations.

Kwangmyong has 24-hour unlimited access by dial-up telephone line. This makes it a unique and somewhat isolated network, unlike the global internet.

A survey in 2017 found that only 1% nationally and 5% in Pyongyang had access to the intranet. This highlights the limited access to the internet in North Korea.

Here is a list of notable features of Kwangmyong:

The limited access to the internet in North Korea is a significant factor in its telecommunications landscape.

The digital divide in North Korea is a significant issue, with the government controlling internet access and only allowing a select few to have access to the global network.

Only about 5% of the population has access to the internet, and even then, it's heavily restricted and monitored.

The country's telecommunications system is relatively underdeveloped, with a limited number of phones and internet-enabled devices available to the general public.

As a result, many North Koreans rely on traditional communication methods like letters and face-to-face conversations to stay in touch with loved ones.

The future of telecommunications in North Korea is uncertain, but it's likely that the government will continue to exert control over the industry, limiting access to modern technologies.

In remote regions, the digital divide is a significant issue. People living in these areas often lack access to reliable internet and digital technologies, making it difficult for them to fully participate in the digital economy.

Many rural communities rely on outdated and slow internet connections, which can be frustrating and limiting. In some areas, the average download speed is less than 1 Mbps.

The lack of digital infrastructure in remote regions can be attributed to the high cost of building and maintaining internet networks in these areas. This cost is often passed on to consumers, making internet access even less affordable.

In some remote regions, only 20% of the population has access to the internet. This limited access can have serious consequences for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

The digital divide in remote regions is not just a matter of access; it's also a matter of quality. Many rural communities struggle with unreliable internet connections, which can be frustrating and limiting.

As we look to the future, it's clear that the digital divide will continue to be a pressing issue. The fact that 1.5 billion people worldwide still lack access to the internet is a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done.

By 2025, it's estimated that 80% of the world's population will have access to the internet, but this still leaves a significant portion of people behind. The digital divide is not just about access, but also about affordability and literacy.

One way to bridge the gap is through the use of mobile devices, which are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible. In fact, mobile phones are now the primary means of internet access for many people in developing countries.

However, the digital divide is not just a problem for developing countries, it's also a issue in developed countries where certain communities are being left behind. For example, in the US, there are still many rural areas where access to high-speed internet is limited or non-existent.

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The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning is also going to play a big role in bridging the digital divide. These technologies can help make digital services more accessible and affordable for people in developing countries, and can also help to identify and address the needs of underserved communities.