“Ubiquitous City” Features Internet Access Anytime, Anywhere

“Ubiquitous City” Features Internet Access Anytime, Anywhere. September. 10, 2005 08:08. by Jae-Seong Hwang Sang-Hoon Kim jsonhng@donga.com sanhkim@donga.com.

Mr. K is on his way home. After getting off his commuter bus, the lights in his house are turned on, and his air conditioner starts working. A microwave with food inside also turns on automatically.

This is possible thanks to his “home server” installed in his house, which recognized K’s location via his cell phone and controls all of the electronic devices in his home.

A high-tech city called “Ubiquitous City” that allow this kind of wired lifestyle will spring up in the capital area.

It is a city full of information and communication facility networks and wireless Internet connection devices that allow access to the Internet anytime, anywhere.

The Korea National Housing Corporation (KNHC), Korea Land Corporation (KLC), and Gyeonggi Innovation Corporation (GICO) have geared up to develop the five new towns, including Pangyo, Paju, Gimpo, Hwaseong, and Suwon, into a “ubiquitous city.”

The first area to be wired will be Dongtan of Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province, which designated KT as its operator on August 18.

The KLC explained that the new facilities will offer services such as child location identification, patrol and emergency response, environmental surveillance, road transportation information, and underground parking lot guidance.

The KNHC will designate the project operator of the new town in Unjeong, Paju City in late this month. The housing corporation plans to invest 90 billion won to build base facilities which will enable telemedicine and distance learning, as well as environmental, transportation and public administrative information services.

Pangyo in Seongnam City plans to choose a design contractor for the project’s basic direction by October 18.

The GICO will invest 100 billion won to build the foundation of a technology-based city in Yiui new town of Suwon City starting the first half of next year.