The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the National
Computerization Agency (NCA) will continue to carry out KOREAv6 Pilot Projects
this year. The projects aim to develop the necessary applications and discover
business models required in the commercialization of the next generation
Internet address system i.e. IPv6.

This year's focus is on increased collaboration and partnership with the IT839
Strategy Projects including Wibro and Home Network. The projects will be
utilizing the KOREAv6 nation-wide network that was constructed last year.

As part the effort, NCA issued a call for tender on 'Public Institute VoIPv6
Standard Model Development KOREAv6 Pilot Project' last month. NCA is currently
in the middle of the selection process and just 2 weeks ago issued another call
for tender on 3 more projects to be carried out for a period of 5 months from
June to November of this year. 2 of the projects will be specified by the NCA
while the 3rd project will be up to each group participating in the tender.

Currently the various disparate communications protocols (H.323, SIP, Megaco)
in use by each communications provider and public institutes are impeding the
growth and expansion of Internet Telephony market. NCA expects to develop and
deploy a VoIP6 standard model in public institutes by the end of the year and
field tests will be conducted to expand deployment throughout the public
sector.
The designated IPv6 pilot projects include IPv6 based WiBro
Applications/Contents pilot services and Home Network IPv6 pilot service. The
open project in which each participant will be given free reign in determining
the exact nature of the project is set to commence after being reviewed and
approved.

IPv6 based WiBro applications/contents pilot services will be used to gauge the
success possibilities of user-based application services and contents most
appropriate in a mobile environment when WiBro is commercialized in 2006. NCA
also hopes to devise a new service model that will leverage the strengths of
IPv6 technology.

The Home Network IPv6 pilot service will integrate IPv6 technology into the
Home Network pilot project in order to satisfy the demand for more addresses
that are needed to expand Home Network services. The resulting service model is
expected to speed up the early commercialization of IPv6 service and contribute
to market expansion.

Additionally in July, an operational trial (KOREAv6 Trial Operation Phase II)
of IPv6 equipment and solutions will be conducted to verify the performance,
stability and interoperability of IPv6 related products with the participation
of many IPv6 hardware and solution companies.

The total budget of the pilot projects will be around 3 billion KRW (government
investment is expected to be around 1.6 billion KRW), with the government and
participation companies jointly contributing on each project.

An official at NCA said this year's IPv6 pilot projects being directly linked
to IT839's strategic projects are enjoying high exposure and we expect to speed
up early commercialization of IPv6 products and services as well as develop
service models that will bring about an early market creation.