North Korean telecommunications company
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]
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 a 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]
