SK Telecom will launch a priority transmission service from June 10 to help firefighters respond quickly at disaster sites by ensuring smooth communications.

The service aims to minimise delays in firefighters’ voice and data connections when network traffic surges in a specific area due to disasters such as earthquakes, fires, large crowds and multiple accidents.

When a disaster occurs, user traffic in the affected area can temporarily spike, causing network delays. The priority transmission service grants top access rights to pre-certified National Fire Agency corporate lines to maintain a stable communications environment.

SKT expects the service will help firefighters at the scene carry out communications needed for rescue operations, including essential voice calls, transmission of on-site photos and video, sharing the locations of people in need of rescue, real-time data transmission and reception, rapid communication with command, and efficient allocation of resources.

The service will operate on SKT’s commercial network in a complementary form with the government-led National Disaster and Safety Communications Network (PS-LTE).

SKT said it will continue to actively cooperate with the government in operating the disaster and safety communications network to provide smooth communications services in disaster situations.