SK Telecom expands smart home platform; joins hands with Samsung, LG

NEW DELHI: South Korean wireless telecommunications operator SK Telecom has tied up with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics to interconnect its smart home platform with their respective smart home platforms.

Once realized, SK Telecom's smart home users will be able to control and monitor Samsung and LG's electronic products equipped with their own smart home capabilities via SK Telecom's smart home app.

In line with the agreement they signed in April, SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics have agreed to realize seamless interworking between their respective smart home platforms within this year.

As a result, consumer electronic products--including refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners, air-purifiers, robot vacuum cleaners and ovens - equipped with Samsung Electronics' smart home capability can be controlled via SK Telecom's Smart Home app.

"We have a strategic plan to collaborate with diverse companies who have their own smart home platforms to maximize effectiveness of customers' use," said Yoon C Lee, Vice-President and Head of Sales & Marketing Team at Samsung Electronics.

SK Telecom has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with LG Electronics to cooperate in the smart home business. The signing ceremony took place at IFA 2015 taking place from September 4 to 9, 2015 in Berlin.

The two companies will work together to realize seamless interworking between their respective smart home platforms within this year. LG's smart home-capable consumer electronic products, including refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, air-conditioners, speakers, robot vacuum cleaners and ovens, will be controlled via SK Telecom's Smart Home app.

"We hope this collaboration will become a role-model for both electronics and telecommunications companies to achieve mutual growth," said Choi Seong-ho, Senior Vice-President and Head of Smart Business Center at LG Electronics.

"Cooperation with two global consumer electronics giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics is expected to take smart home to the next level, providing users with greater value and convenience," said Cho Young-hoon, Vice-President and Head of Smart Home TF at SK Telecom.

Since launching its smart home platform in May 2015, SK Telecom has been working aggressively with various partners to promote the growth and development of the smart home/home IoT market by creating an open ecosystem.

To date, the company has formed partnerships with over 25 companies of diverse industries, including consumer electronics, furniture and construction, and plans to introduce at least 20 Smart Home-capable products within 2015 and over 30 Smart Home products by 2016.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom is participating in IFA 2015 for the first time. The company is showcasing various platforms and services in the areas of smart home, smart shopping and smart appcessories, and expects to seek opportunities to advance into the global markets.

At its booth, SK Telecom is demonstrating how smart home-capable products like boiler and air conditioner can be remotely controlled via a mobile app. Visitors can also experience 'Smart Shelf,' an interactive advertisement platform that plays ad films on LCD displays; and 'Smart Shopper,' an omni-channel platform that enables shoppers to use a barcode scanning device (instead of a shopping cart) to add items to a virtual cart, purchase these items at a self-checkout counter, and have them delivered to their homes.

Furthermore, SK Telecom is showcasing a wide array of smart appcessories including laser/LCOS pico projector 'UO Smart Beam Laser,' portable Hi-Fi audio 'UO Linkage,' and health care device for pets 'UO Petfit.'