Free WiFi zones were set up at 248 rest areas for drowsy drivers and temporary rest stops, giving drivers free Internet access. (image: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)
SEOUL, Jan. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea started providing free wireless Internet on small highway rest stops across the nation Friday in a bid to reduce people’s phone bills.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Expressway Corp. said free WiFi zones were set up at 248 rest areas for drowsy drivers and temporary rest stops, giving drivers free Internet access.
The free service came after the state agencies signed a related agreement with the country’s three mobile carriers last year.
So far, free WiFi services have been available at large highway rest areas and bus stops in Seoul and adjacent areas.
According to the ministry, the provision of free WiFi services on highway rest areas is estimated to have cut people’s phone bills by 14.6 billion won (US$12.9 million) last year.
The government has vowed to expand free WiFi zones in public places across the country in line with its policy of reducing people’s spending on telecommunications.
(Yonhap)
