Call me, comrade: the surprise rise of North Korean smartphones



Analysis Call me, comrade: the surprise rise of North Korean smartphones In the decade since they were first introduced, apps have flourished but devices remain restrictive Tia Han July 30, 2018 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON CPC_4779 1 by nknews_hq on 2016-10-07 13:35:05 2018 marks the tenth year that cellphones have been legally available in North Korea. The number of users has been growing significantly since then, but overall use remains low: according to the country's state-run Sogwang outlet in January, more than 3.5 million - out of a population of 25 million - have mobile subscriptions. “We started providing the 3G service in December 2008, so this year marks the 10th year of the service,” Han Jong Nye, from the Arirang Information and Technology Center in Future Scientist Street in Pyongyang, was quoted as having said in Sogwang in January. "The demand for mobile phones is growing larger and larger." 2018 marks the tenth year that cellphones have been legally available in North Korea. The number of users has been growing significantly since then, but overall use remains low: according to the country's state-run Sogwang outlet in January, more than 3.5 million - out of a population of 25 million - have mobile subscriptions. “We started providing the 3G service in December 2008, so this year marks the 10th year of the service,” Han Jong Nye, from the Arirang Information and Technology Center in Future Scientist Street in Pyongyang, was quoted as having said in Sogwang in January. "The demand for mobile phones is growing larger and larger." Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Call me, comrade: the surprise rise of North Korean smartphones

In the decade since they were first introduced, apps have flourished but devices remain restrictive

Tia Han July 30, 2018

Call me, comrade: the surprise rise of North Korean smartphones

CPC_4779 1 by nknews_hq on 2016-10-07 13:35:05

2018 marks the tenth year that cellphones have been legally available in North Korea. The number of users has been growing significantly since then, but overall use remains low: according to the country's state-run Sogwang outlet in January, more than 3.5 million - out of a population of 25 million - have mobile subscriptions.

“We started providing the 3G service in December 2008, so this year marks the 10th year of the service,” Han Jong Nye, from the Arirang Information and Technology Center in Future Scientist Street in Pyongyang, was quoted as having said in Sogwang in January. "The demand for mobile phones is growing larger and larger."