Cover Story / RFID & USN International standardization of mobile RFID/USN will boost Korean exports of RFID technology The government is working hard to improve SOC infrastructure by introducing RFID/USN to basic national infrastructure, particularly roads, harbors and airports. This year it is implementing a model project for construction of common infrastructure in airport and food sectors. From 2007, it plans to expand the application of RFID/USN to all infrastructures. To disseminate common infrastructure, the government intends setting aside 47 billion won (about $48 million) in midterm budget during the period from 2007 to 2010. For instance, the Korea Airports Corporation started to operate the radio frequency identification (RFID) system that controls luggage by attaching electronic tags to baggage as from June 2005. The RFID tag is an adhesive sticker-like chip, which can be scanned with a reader - even through a wall. The tag is typically incorporated into a product or attached to its packaging. The airport corporation plans to expand the system to other local airports and another carrier, Korean Air. With the tag, passengers and airport authorities are able to collect information about luggage through the monitors, such as the airports passengers sent the baggage from and the airports where they will claim the baggage. Also, the RFID system enables the authority to monitor baggage of suspected terrorists and compare luggage with the owners, enhancing security of airport and airplanes. When a plane arrives at a destination airport and luggage comes out on conveyer belts at the baggage claim area, seat numbers of the luggage's owner appear on a monitor, so that they do not need to wait for their baggage coming along the conveyer belt. The government will offer consulting services to private enterprises hoping to introduce RFID/USN. It plans to implement a mobile RFID pilot service and engage in PR activities for commercialization. In preparation for commercialization, it is pushing for construction of a suitable system and carrying out pilot services for various application service models. A variety of PR activities will be held to attract keen interest from people during the initial stage of mobile RFID services. In case of large classification, mobile RFID services could be divided into entertainment and shopping; tourism, transportation, and living services; and distribution and logistics. ETRI and Samsung Electronics plan to develop handset embedded RFID reader chips in the first half of 2006 for commercialization in the latter half. The government is also pushing for international standardization of mobile RFID in order to bolster competitiveness of relevant industries and help domestic makers advance into overseas markets.