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| China-Japan-Koreas | |
| Norks Restart Cell Phone Service | |
| 2009-07-30 | |
| North Korea has gone wireless again after the authoritarian government abruptly shut down the mobile communications service and banned cell phone usage in 2004. The reclusive country has teamed up with Orascom Telecom of Egypt to launch a third-generation mobile network. Although the technology would enable users to send and receive text messages and video content, North Korean customers will only be allowed to speak over their phones. Naguib Sawiris, CEO of Orascom Telecom, said, "The prospects of this company are to build a network that will accommodate about 22 million people in North Korea." The Egyptian company has reportedly invested US$400 million and could put down more if subscribers reach 100,000 or more. The country's first cell phone dealership has opened for business in Pyongyang. Anyone can sign up to use the wireless service -- if they can afford it. Citing a source in China, the U.S.-based Radio Free Asia last week reported the going price for a handset is expected to be around $700, or five months of pay for an average North Korean worker. In April of 2004, Pyongyang pulled the plug on the its cell phone service in the wake of the Ryongchon train explosion near the country's border with China that left hundreds of people dead and injured. The highly secretive regime is thought to have tried to deter the outside world or its own people from finding out about the gravity of the disaster and rising death toll.
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| Posted by:Steve White |