A faint smile played on Park Minho's lips as he gripped the microphone, addressing the Busan Industry Summit with calm confidence.
"The internet may seem like just a network linking computers, but it's tied to the fourth industrial revolution—the cornerstone of Industry 4.0."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Industry 4.0? Linking the internet to a new industrial era? It was a bold claim, one they'd never heard framed this way. Curious eyes fixed on Minho, but he didn't elaborate. With a sly grin, he pivoted, leaving the concept dangling tantalizingly.
The crowd's frustration was palpable—some even gritted their teeth at his tease—but Minho pressed on, undeterred. "Current internet speeds are too slow, dragging down Korea's economic growth. Internet products are virtual, so their real-world impact might seem small. Right now, online shopping is the main way it touches society, but it's not widespread enough to make a big dent."
Big Kim of AliKor, seated upfront, leaned forward, intrigued by Minho's mention of online shopping. He wanted to hear more, expecting a deep dive into e-commerce. But Minho sidestepped again, drawing a scowl from Big Kim.
"Let's return to the core issue: how to boost Korea's internet speed under tight budgets while meeting the public's demand for faster connections."
The room perked up. Did this young nobody have a real solution to the telecom industry's woes? Yang Ho-jin, the middle-aged real estate boss beside Minho, turned pale. He'd handed Minho the mic to trip him up, but Minho's poise suggested he'd miscalculated. Yang cursed himself, regretting giving Minho this platform.
"Damn it," Yang muttered, glaring at his own hand as if it had betrayed him.
Minho, unfazed, spoke clearly. "To solve the bandwidth bottleneck, I propose triple play."
"Triple play?"
The term sent a jolt through the room. Telecom and internet industry pros exchanged stunned glances, their minds racing. What a brilliant idea! Minho hadn't specified which networks, but they knew: the cable TV network, the telecom network, and the internet backbone network.
These were Korea's three major networks. The telecom and cable TV networks, with decades of history, boasted massive user bases. The internet backbone, established in 1994 when Korea joined the global internet, was younger but still a decade old. Though less extensive, it was the third pillar. Together, these networks held vast untapped potential.
Integrating them could multiply bandwidth without digging new trenches or laying costly fiber. Swap out switches or add triple-play gear, and bandwidth could surge—potentially tenfold. The cost? A fraction of new infrastructure. If successful, Korea's internet speeds could leap from 512KB-1MB to 4MB-8MB, transforming the digital landscape.
Industry insiders stared at Minho, shocked that a kid barely over 20 had dropped such a game-changer. Mr. Lee of LenKor, known as Korea's tech conscience, couldn't hide his admiration. "This triple play is a remarkable idea."
The host, sensing confusion among non-tech attendees, chimed in. "Could someone clarify what triple play means?"
Mr. Lee obliged. "It's the integration of the telecom network, cable TV network, and internet backbone network. By combining them, we can boost bandwidth without massive infrastructure costs."
He turned to the VP of KorTel, a telecom giant. "Mr. Park, if I'm correct, infrastructure is the biggest cost in building the internet backbone, right?"
The VP, Mr. Park, nodded. "Yes. Infrastructure—digging trenches, laying fiber—eats up nearly 70% of the budget. Switches, staff, and facilities make up the rest. Triple play could multiply bandwidth dozens of times with minimal investment, pushing speeds to 4MB-8MB."
The host's eyes widened, grasping the implications. Triple play could save billions while turbocharging Korea's internet. He turned to Minho, voice full of respect. "Thank you, sir, for introducing triple play. This idea perfectly addresses our current dilemma: limited funds but urgent need for faster speeds. If validated, your proposal could reshape Korea's internet. We're deeply grateful."
Applause broke out, genuine and warm. Minho stood steady, the mic still in hand, his faint smile unshaken. Yang Ho-jin, fuming beside him, looked ready to implode. He'd meant to humiliate Minho, but instead, he'd handed him a megaphone. Minho's idea wasn't just bold—it was revolutionary, and the summit's elite were eating it up.
Xu Hua of Saehan Mobile, watching from the front, narrowed his eyes. He'd dismissed Minho as a clown, but this move forced a rethink. Hansung's boss wasn't just riding luck—he was dangerous.
Minho felt the room's energy shift. His gamble had paid off. The *Ultimate Imitation Emperor System* gave him an edge in phones, but his foresight into tech trends—honed by glimpses of the future—gave him this moment. Triple play wasn't a random shot; it was a calculated strike, positioning Hansung as a visionary brand. He'd come to make waves, and the ripples were spreading.
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(end of this chapter)