Busan is good

Free Wi-Fi in all buses and at major bus stops in Busan from July 1, 2012

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Busan City government has announced that all local buses and metro trains in Busan will have free wireless internet access by July 1, 2012. In its continued efforts to encourage Busan citizens to use public transport, people can now enjoy free wireless internet on public transport only in Busan.    

With the sharp rise in smartphone usage in recent years, this project aims to respond to citizens demand. The city signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SK Telecom on August 8, 2011 to establish a city-wide mobile wireless internet infrastructure and it installed the wireless internet network on 2,473 local buses and at 80 bus stops between August 2011 and the end of June 2012. 

With various agreements on establishing a telecommunications infrastructure with the three main mobile operators in Korea - SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus - Busan citizens can now access free wireless internet connections on a moving bus or metro train as well as at bus stops and metro stations, thereby reducing citizens’ monthly smartphone bills.   

In order to provide a Wi-Fi service on a moving bus or metro train, Busan City established a wireless broadband (WiBro) network across the City with cooperation of the Korea Communications Commission and three major mobile operators in Korea.

A city official said, “To build a U-City for all citizens, we will continuously expand the Wi-Fi service to administrative agencies and public places as well. At the same time, we plan to build a high-tech Smart City, where wireless internet access is available throughout the city, not only for Busan citizens but also for domestic and international tourists visiting Busan.”