Koryolink - North Korea

Koryolink (North Korea) uses 1 UMTS band. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work with Koryolink (North Korea). See the tables below for details.

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Carrier website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koryolink

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Koryolink is the official 3G mobile phone service in North Korea, launched in December 2008 by Orascom Technology, an Egyptian company, in partnership with the state-owned Korea Post and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC). The network was initially intended to provide mobile phone services to high-ranking officials and foreigners, but it soon expanded to cover a broader population.

Key Features and Developments

1. Launch and Expansion:

   • Koryolink was launched in December 2008 and quickly gained popularity, with subscriber numbers rising rapidly. By February 2012, Orascom announced its first million subscribers, and by May 2013, the network had two million subscribers.

2. Security and Surveillance:

   • The North Korean government emphasized the need for tight security and surveillance in the network. This included the installation of a comprehensive monitoring system to track calls and data transmission, as well as a special slice of the network for high-ranking officials to ensure their communications were secure from eavesdropping.

3. Restrictions and Control:

   • The network operates under strict control, with domestic users unable to make international calls or access the internet. There is also a third tier of subscribers, known as "special users," who have access to encrypted handsets to prevent eavesdropping.

4. International Roaming and Internet Access:

   • Koryolink does not have international roaming agreements, and internet access is limited to resident foreigners and not available to tourists.

5. Subscriber Growth and Penetration:

   • By 2015, the number of mobile phone subscribers in North Korea had grown to three million. The penetration of mobile phones in Pyongyang was particularly high, with 60% of citizens between the ages of 20 and 50 owning a cellphone by 2011.

6. Financial Disagreements and Control:

   • In 2015, Orascom reported that it had lost control of Koryolink despite still owning a majority stake. The North Korean government had launched its own cellular network, Kang Song, to compete with Koryolink.

7. Current Status:

   • Today, North Korea is covered by both Koryolink and Kang Song, with Kang Song primarily serving regions outside of Pyongyang. The total number of cellular subscribers is estimated to be between 6.5 million and 7 million.

Koryolink represents a significant investment in cellular technology by North Korea, aimed at providing basic telephony services while maintaining strict control over the flow of information.

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