North Korea is reportedly looking to bolster its domestic technology and upgrade its mobile network security this year.
As reported by Daily NK, the country wants to improve its mobile network security to international standards by increasing investment in cloud systems and quantum encryption technology.
However, such a move could see the country move away from its usage of Chinese telecom equipment, said the publication.
Citing a source, the website said that during a conference held in Pyongyang, North Korea, last month, discussions were held to improve the country's mobile network infrastructure to a "world-class level."
The person told Daily NK that North Korea's current mobile network is vulnerable to security breaches due to its reliance on Chinese technology and equipment, and stressed the need for countermeasures.
This has led the cabinet’s Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Development to outline a plan to replace this technology with a domestic technology instead.
“The cabinet said the main goal is self-reliance, and plans to expand investment in cloud systems and quantum encryption technology,” said the source. “The Information Technology Research Institute of the State Academy of Sciences and experts in the information technology sector will play a crucial role in this.”
It was reported last year by the same publication that North Korea had started to import second-hand Huawei equipment as part of plans to upgrade its existing 3G mobile networks.
The country began signing up subscribers for its 4G network earlier this year.
Governed by Kim Jong Un, North Korea is run as a totalitarian dictatorship. The country's government has significant control over the media content that is consumed by its population.
North Korea currently has two active mobile network operators, Koryolink and Kang Song NET.
Koryolink was formed in 2008 as part of a JV between Egyptian company Orascom Investment Holding (OIH) and state-owned Korean Post & Telecoms Corporation (KPTC). Kang Song NET was formed more recently, in 2015.
