The Broadcasting and Media Communications Commission of South Korea has announced significant improvements in the accuracy of emergency location information provided by the country’s three major mobile carriers. This initiative aims to support emergency response agencies such as fire and police departments by ensuring that location data is both precise and quickly accessible during rescue operations. Since 2019, the Commission has conducted annual assessments to encourage technological investment and service quality enhancements among telecom providers. The 2025 assessment marks a notable milestone by including Apple iPhones for the first time in the evaluation process.
The policy directly impacts emergency responders, mobile network operators SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus, as well as users of Apple iPhones and various mobile devices in South Korea. The assessment measured location accuracy, response time, and compliance rates across different positioning methods: base station, GPS, and Wi-Fi. Tests were conducted at 170 locations nationwide, covering diverse environments such as urban, rural, indoor, outdoor, and crime-prone areas. Results showed improved average accuracy for all carriers, with base station accuracy improving from 25.0m to 22.0m, GPS from 12.7m to 12.3m, and Wi-Fi from 18.7m to 17.1m.
The 2025 quality assessment revealed that while accuracy improved, response times for some methods increased slightly. For example, base station response time rose from 1.4 to 1.9 seconds, and GPS from 1.7 to 2.4 seconds, but compliance rates remained high, exceeding 99% for most methods. Apple iPhones, newly included in the assessment, provided composite positioning data with an accuracy of 24.3m and a response time of 17.6 seconds, with Apple committing to improve response times by early 2027. The evaluation also examined 24 types of mobile devices, including domestic and foreign models, to ensure comprehensive coverage of emergency location capabilities.
Frequently asked questions include: Which devices provide emergency location information? All tested devices provide base station location data, while GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities vary by device type and manufacturer. How does this impact emergency response? Improved accuracy and compliance rates mean that emergency services can locate individuals more reliably and quickly, potentially saving lives. What are the next steps? The Commission will continue to collaborate with industry stakeholders to further enhance location quality and update standards as technology evolves.
The addition of Apple iPhones to South Korea’s emergency location quality assessment is a noteworthy advancement, ensuring that a broader range of devices can be reliably located during emergencies. The improvements in location accuracy and compliance rates across all major carriers reflect the positive impact of regular, policy-driven evaluations. Although some response times have increased, the overall trend is toward more precise and dependable emergency location services. Ongoing cooperation between industry and regulators will be crucial to further enhance these capabilities and adapt to evolving technology.