North Korea sees big jump in mobile phone use

Secretive North Korea has seen a sharp rise in mobile phone use, with more than 800,000 subscribers as of the end of September, according to the Egyptian company which provides the service.

Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. said the figure represents a 169% increase year-on-year.The company, in a quarterly earnings report seen on its website Wednesday, said its network now covers areas where 94% of the population live.

Communist North Korea strictly controls access to outside information by its 24 million people and fixes the tuning controls of radios and televisions to official stations.

It began a mobile phone service in November 2002 but shut it down without explanation 18 months later and began recalling handsets. But in December 2008 the country introduced a 3G mobile phone network in a joint venture with the Egyptian firm.

Seoul-based activists say it is difficult for registered users to make or receive overseas calls because of limited service and tight oversight. The North clamps down on unauthorized use of mobile phones smuggled from China and used in border areas.

In an earlier deal, the Egyptian group in 2007 sealed a $115 million contract to invest in a North Korean cement plant. It is also reportedly involved in completing construction of the 105-storey Ryugyong Hotel in the capital Pyongyang.

---