Almost all North Koreans now have access to cellular networks, report finds



News Almost all North Koreans now have access to cellular networks, report finds 38 North says ‘ubiquitous’ mobile phones form basis for private economy but allow government to track users’ every move Shreyas Reddy November 16, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean man taking a picture with his mobile phone at a Kimilsungia exhibition in Pyongyang in April 2010 \| Image: Eric Lafforgue (April 25, 2010) Nearly all North Koreans now live in an area with cellular network coverage, a new report shows, following years of state efforts to promote mobile devices as a means to more tightly control the population. Two decades since the introduction of mobile telecommunications in Pyongyang and Rason, mobile phone usage has become “ubiquitous” in the isolated country and forms the basis for its private economy, according to 38 North. Nearly all North Koreans now live in an area with cellular network coverage, a new report shows, following years of state efforts to promote mobile devices as a means to more tightly control the population. Two decades since the introduction of mobile telecommunications in Pyongyang and Rason, mobile phone usage has become “ubiquitous” in the isolated country and forms the basis for its private economy, according to 38 North. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period 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

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Almost all North Koreans now have access to cellular networks, report finds

38 North says ‘ubiquitous’ mobile phones form basis for private economy but allow government to track users’ every move

Shreyas Reddy November 16, 2022

Almost all North Koreans now have access to cellular networks, report finds

North Korean man taking a picture with his mobile phone at a Kimilsungia exhibition in Pyongyang in April 2010 | Image: Eric Lafforgue (April 25, 2010)

Nearly all North Koreans now live in an area with cellular network coverage, a new report shows, following years of state efforts to promote mobile devices as a means to more tightly control the population.

Two decades since the introduction of mobile telecommunications in Pyongyang and Rason, mobile phone usage has become “ubiquitous” in the isolated country and forms the basis for its private economy, according to 38 North.

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Almost all North Koreans now have access to cellular networks, report finds

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