2017-12-22

▶ KT wins a contract to set up broadband infrastructure and operations center

▶ Expected to expand high-speed communications network in Gabon located in central-western Africa, making it a ICT hub

▶ Picks up speed on business development for Word bank and African market pioneering

KT (CEO Chang-Gyu Hwang, www.kt.com) will build a high-speed communications network in Gabon, Africa. Gabon's ANINF (Agence Nationale des Infrastructures Num?riques et des Fr?quences) has announced that they have signed a contract with KT worth 9 million euros (about 11.9 billion won) to build a high-speed communications network in Gabon on the 17th.

The contract was signed at 9:30 am on the 14th (local time) at the Boulevard hotel in Libreville, Gabon. This mega size project is being aided by World Bank. It will connect the total distance of 528 km with high-speed communications network and 7 operations centers will be established in Gabon.

The network starts from Lambarene located south of Gabon where Dr. Schweitzer devoted his work at and connects to North of Gabon where it borders Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea boarder. This is a tropical forest area which makes it difficult to build a communications network. But KT has experience through KT engcore, a project in Gabon since 2012 and based on the experience KT has offered an ideal layout and construction method. KT has won the contract through an international bid competing against telecommunications companies from China and Israel in August.

The project is expected to complete by end of 2018. It is also expected to enhance the broadband service approach by 62.5% throughout Gabon and adjacent countries and it will play the role as a main communications line in Gabon.

Gabon, as a newly rising economy in Africa has the most developed telecommunications industry in central-western Africa. Users of mobile communications service exceeds the African average of 80.8% and records 144.2%. But the wire communications (Internet, Broadband) service is used only by 0.6 households out of a hundred (according to ITU country profile of 2016) because of it is deteriorated quality. It makes it difficult for the telecommunications market to grow further. Gabon's ANINF has signed the contract with KT to expand Gabon's infrastructure and diversify the industry.

KT's contract with Gabon to build the optical network signifies that Africa recognizes KT for its advanced ICT technology which has already been acknowledged through GiGA Wire, GiGA LTE in Asia and Middle East etc. This contract is especially meaningful as KT is collaborating mid to small size companies' using their products and helping them into entering the overseas market.

This project will also be financially aided by the World Bank which is one of the main MDB's (Multilateral Development Bank). And this also paves the pavement for Korean telecommunications companies' business development and pioneering central-western African market with World Bank.

KT's Vice president of Global Business Group for Europe/Africa, Lee Baek Hee said,

"KT is KT has had an agreement with CABEI (Central American Bank for Economic Integration) among the MDB's but this will be the first time winning a project aided by World Bank. It will also be the first time for a Korean telecommunications company and it shows possibilities of KT's 'diversification of regions and financial support in global projects'. Moving forward, KT will work to expand national projects and build communications infrastructure business in central-western Africa and Gabon as a global telecommunications company of Korea."