While the world is still stunned with North Korea’s trial of long-range missiles, the country’s mobile operator keeps adding new subscribers to its network. According to an article in Tokyo-based Choson Sinbo, as of now about 20,000 North Koreans and some foreigners in the country are using mobile phones following the launch of a new network by Orascom Telecom.
The Cairo-based operator launched a mobile phone network in the country in December in partnership with the state-run Korea Post and Telecommunications Corp, marking the first time ordinary North Koreans have been allowed to use mobile phones since a previous, short-lived service was shut down in 2004.
The paper, which is considered a mouthpiece for the North Korean regime, said the service is currently available in Pyongyang and on a highway linking the capital to the northern city of Hyangsan, with plans to expand coverage to the entire country by 2012.
On the downside, though, ordinary people still can’t contact anyone outside North Korea from their mobiles…
[Via: Forbes]