Koryolink

Orascom Telecom Holding was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in North Korea in January 2008. Koryolink has deployed its 3G network to initially cover Pyongyang, which has a population of more than two million people, with an ambitious plan to expand its coverage to the entire country.

When Koryolink launched, the move was controversial for Egypt-based Orascom as North Korea was under international sanctions since it led nuclear tests in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3005838/how-a-telecom-investment-in-north-korea-went-horribly-wrong.html|title=How a telecom investment in North Korea went horribly wrong|website=Pcworld.com|date=17 November 2015|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}}

At network launch in December 2008, the network had 5,300 subscribers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nkeconwatch.com/2009/06/28/orascom-reports-dprk-profits/ |title=Orascom reports DPRK profits |website=Nkeconwatch.com |date=28 June 2009 |access-date=2017-04-26}} Orascom reported 47,873 subscribers in June 2009,{{cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2009/08/26/north-korean-3g-customers-double-in-q2/|title=North Korean 3G customers double in Q2|website=North Korea Tech|date=26 August 2009|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}} then 432,000 North Korean subscribers in December 2010,[http://www.orascomtelecom.com/files/financial/1157450663_Earnings%20Release%20First%20Quarter%202011.pdf#page=29 Orascom Telecom Holding First Quarter 2011 Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412185952/http://www.orascomtelecom.com/files/financial/1157450663_Earnings%20Release%20First%20Quarter%202011.pdf |date=2012-04-12 }}, page 29, Orascomtelecom.com (accessed 20 May 2011) increasing to 809,000 by September 2011,[http://www.orascomtelecom.com/files/financial/1890774344_Earnings%20Release%20Third%20Quarter%202011.pdf#page=30 Orascom Telecom Holding Third Quarter 2011 Results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415130130/http://www.orascomtelecom.com/files/financial/1890774344_Earnings%20Release%20Third%20Quarter%202011.pdf |date=2012-04-15 }}, page 30 Orascomtelecom.com (accessed 28 April 2012) and exceeding one million by February 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-02/orascom-telecom-media-shares-jump-after-north-korea-announcement.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205043407/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-02/orascom-telecom-media-shares-jump-after-north-korea-announcement.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |title=Orascom Telecom Media Shares Jump After North Korea Announcement |author=Alaa Shahine |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=15 October 2012}} By April 2013, subscriber numbers neared two million.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22308353 |title=North Korea embraces 3G service |publisher=BBC |date=26 April 2013 |access-date=18 May 2013}} In 2011, 99.9% of Koryolink customers had 3G access.{{cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2011/01/12/north-korea-tops-3g-ranking/|title=North Korea tops 3G ranking|website=North Korea Tech|date=12 January 2011|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}}

In 2015 subscriber numbers exceeded three million and the network was profitable. However, the Government of North Korea refused permission to transfer profits from North Korea to Orascom and even started a second carrier (Kangsong NET) to compete with Koryolink.{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/03/17/north-koreas-silent-hard-currency-source-that-cellphone-business-with-orascom/|title=North Korea’s silent hard currency source: That cellphone business with Orascom|last=Ricks|first=Thomas E.|last2=Kim|first2=Yonho|date=2016-03-17|website=Foreign Policy|access-date=2017-04-27}} As a result, Orascom in its financial result reported, that it lost control over Koryolink's activities.{{cite web|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/945542/how-a-telecom-investment-in-north-korea-went-horribly-wrong.html|title=How a telecom investment in North Korea went horribly wrong|last=Williams|first=Martyn|date=18 November 2015|publisher=Network World|access-date=13 March 2016|archive-date=22 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422163055/https://www.networkworld.com/article/945542/how-a-telecom-investment-in-north-korea-went-horribly-wrong.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nknews.org/2017/02/the-limits-of-north-koreas-meagre-economic-growth|title=The limits of North Korea’s meager economic growth|first=Andrei|last=Lankov|publisher=NK News|date=6 February 2017}}

Following tightened sanctions on North Korea by the UN Security Council, Orascom was granted an exemption in September 2018 to continue with the Koryolink operations in North Korea.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/update-1-orascoms-koryolink-jv-granted-r/update-1-orascoms-koryolink-jv-granted-right-to-operate-in-north-korea-idUSFWN1W70SU|title=UPDATE 1-Orascom's Koryolink JV granted right to operate in North Korea|website=Reuters.com|date=23 September 2018|access-date=2 March 2019}} The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2375 was to be obtained by 9 January 2018 to keep Orascom's DPRK operations legal.{{cite web|url=https://www.nknews.org/2017/12/koryolink-cellphone-service-will-continue-operations-in-north-korea-orascom/|title=Koryolink cellphone service will continue operations in North Korea: Orascom|website=NK News|date=21 December 2017|author=Chad O'Carroll |access-date=2 March 2019}}

On February 26, 2013, Koryolink made internet service available for foreigners, with a setup fee of €75 (≈ US$100), and €10 (≈ US$13.10) per month to keep a SIM card active. It cost €400 (≈ US$532) for 10GB of data, €250 (≈ US$333) for 5GB and €150 (≈ US200) for 2GB of data.{{refn|group=n|The Euro/US dollar conversion is correct for 2013 when this service was active}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=10345 |title=Daily NK - Koryolink Mobile Internet Launched |author=Park Seong Guk |newspaper=Daily NK |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=6 April 2013}} about a month later, on March 29, this was discontinued. A Koryolink official stated that 3G internet service would still be available for certain long-term residents such as diplomatic staff.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=10448 |title=Daily NK - Tourist Internet Cut after a Month |author=Cho Jong Ik |newspaper=Daily NK |date=29 March 2013 |access-date=6 April 2013}}

According to Orascom, the North Korean government has monitored all network activities since at least 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2011/02/21/report-cell-phone-rentals-to-visitors-suspended/|title=Report: Cell phone rentals to visitors suspended|website=North Korea Tech|date=21 February 2011|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.38north.org/2019/07/mwilliams072219/ |title=North Korea's Koryolink: Built for Surveillance and Control |last=Williams |first=Martyn |publisher=The Henry L. Stimson Center |work=38 North |date=22 July 2019 |access-date=6 August 2019}} Only calls within North Korea are allowed on Koryolink. However, smuggled phones have been used just over the border in China to International Direct Dialing.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32925503|title=Bureau 121: How good are Kim Jong-un's elite hackers?|last=Lee|first=Dave|date=2015-05-29|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-04-27|language=en-GB}}

In February 2012, the government denied having banned users from the internet during the mourning period of Kim Jong-il.{{cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2012/02/15/north-korea-cell-phone-ban-report-incorrect-says-orascom/|title=North Korea cell phone ban report incorrect, says Orascom|website=North Korea Tech|date=15 February 2012|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}}

In September 2014, Koryolink fixed a loophole that enabled its domestic users to get international calls and internet access designed for tourists only.{{cite web|url=https://www.northkoreatech.org/2014/09/02/koryolink-moves-to-plug-censorship-loophole/|title=Koryolink moves to plug censorship loophole|website=North Korea Tech|date=2 September 2014|author=Martyn Williams|access-date=2 March 2019}}

In 2016, Orascom admitted to have problems with repatriating profits because of international sanctions against North Korea, and stated that it was looking for a solution to this problem.{{Cite web|last=Barton|first=James|title=Koryolink no longer under Orascom’s control|url=https://www.developingtelecoms.com/telecom-business/operator-news/6232-koryolink-no-longer-under-orascom-s-control.html|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Developing Telecoms|language=en-gb}} It was suggested that a merger with state-owned carrier Byol could be on the table, yet "the resulting entity would not be controlled by Orascom, meaning that the Egyptian firm has already effectively ceded control of Koryolink."

{{portal|North Korea}}

• Kangsong NET

{{reflist|group=n}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100517101453/http://www.businessweek.com/idg/2010-05-13/cell-phone-demand-stays-strong-in-north-korea.html Business Week - Cell phone demand stays strong in North Korea]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100725034744/http://business.compulenta.ru/530990/ Compluenta - Сотовая связь Северной Кореи пошла в рост]
• [http://www.easybourse.com/bourse/communication/news/830541/france-telecom-france-telecom-et-orascom-signent-les-termes-finalises-de-leurs-accords-sur-mobinil.html EasyBourse - France Télécom et Orascom signent les termes finalisés de leurs accords sur Mobinil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208181038/http://www.easybourse.com/bourse/communication/news/830541/france-telecom-france-telecom-et-orascom-signent-les-termes-finalises-de-leurs-accords-sur-mobinil.html |date=2015-02-08 }}
• [http://www.c114.net/news/116/a506935.html c114.net - 奥斯康一季度净利4900万美元 朝鲜手机用户12.6万] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191520/http://www.c114.net/news/116/a506935.html |date=2014-01-02 }}
• [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-22-fg-nkorea-cellphone22-story.html LA Times - North Korea allows cellphone network]
• [https://news.google.com/search?q=%22Koryolink%22+-newswire+-wire+-presswire+-PR+-press+-release+-wikipedia Other news articles on Koryolink]

{{Mobile network operators of North Korea}}

Category: Telecommunications companies of North Korea

Category: Mobile phone companies of North Korea

Category: VEON