SKT, Ericsson sign tech deal

SK Telecom and Ericsson announced an agreement Tuesday to develop networks for smaller objects at the headquarters of Ericsson in Stockholm, Sweden. Provided by SK Telecom

SK Telecom signed an agreement with Swedish communication service provider Ericsson Tuesday to cooperate on developing network systems for small Internet-enabled objects like light bulbs and meters.

Known as the Internet of Small Things business, transferring small sets of data between machine to machine is considered as an emerging sector that will see more connectedness in every corner of people’s lives.

The two parties are particularly keen on researching Machine Type Communication, a wireless data technology designed to allow direct communications among electronic devices. Under the project, the companies will focus on developing 4G Long Term Evolution connectivity for data traffic among different objects.

“The cooperation came as the telecommunications industry anticipates future demand for an era that links people with connected devices everywhere,” said Per Navinger, head of Product Area LTE division at Ericsson.

“We believe that a supporting network for low-power objects can spur different kinds of business opportunities.”

“The MOU with Ericsson will help build foundations for the future hyper-connectivity era,” said Park Jin-hyo, senior vice president and head of SK Telecom’s Network Technology R&D Center.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]