Page 69 - U4SSC Case study Daegu, Korea (Republic of), February 2022

7.2 Daegu performance and considerations: Economy dimension

The key theme assessed by these KPIs is the level
of implementation of ICTs. A smart sustainable city
requires fixed as well as mobile ICT infrastructures
to allow for the deployment of applications that will:

1) facilitate the development of smart sustainable
cities;

2) promote civic engagement; and

3) foster improvements in sustainability (gained
through efficiencies in operations).

There are also KPIs within this dimension that are
meant to help to analyse the general economic
well-being and innovation of a city and measure the
support from ICTs in the process.

Data collected and reported by Daegu show that
there is an integrated plan between the city and the
private sector to further the development of the city
through the Daegu Smart City Vision.

7.2.1 Internet access

The analysis of Daegu’s reporting starts with connectivity. Connectivity is at the heart of an SSC
and the basis for the Daegu Smart City Plan. With 100 per cent Internet access, this puts Daegu
and the Republic of Korea at the top of the list of OECD countries. With more than one mobile
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broadband subscription per person, this sets the basis for inhabitants that can engage with the
initiatives within the Daegu Smart City Plan. One of the most important factors is that the Republic
of Korea and, therefore, Daegu, is near the top of the list globally with a fixed Internet average
connection speed of 48.12 Mbit/s and an average mobile Internet speed of 192.58 Mbps. Daegu
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has also built its own optical network such that the city has enough capacity for new communication
demands to process online administrative works and smart city services. With this impressive
Internet infrastructure, Daegu is well positioned from an infrastructure perspective to execute its
smart sustainable city vision.

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