SK Telecom has formed a partnership with Telecom New Zealand covering co-operation in internet of things (IoT) business and technology.
The two operators have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to collaborate on smart car, telematics and smart city R&D.
Through the partnership, the companies plan to explore cost-effective business models for IoT services in the three areas, as well as other segments including smart farm technology.
In a statement, the companies said they had agreed to work together after they found they shared a common interest in and view of the IoT sector while preparing for the Korea, Australia, New Zealand (KANZ) Technology Summit 2014.
SK Telecom head of public business office 3 Cho Seung-won said SK Telecom launched South Korea's first IoT service back in 2000.
“To develop the Korean IoT industry and pioneer the global market, SK Telecom is actively contributing to creation of global IoT ecosystem,” he said. “By cooperating with Telecom NZ in particular, the company is committed to expand Korea’s successful IoT business model to the global market.”
In January, SK Telecom and 10 other APAC mobile operators launched the Bridge Alliance for M2M to jointly develop business models and technologies for industries including vehicle telemetry and security.