NAVER ´º½º

KT Corp. said yesterday that it has signed a $38 million deal with the Rwandan government to build the backbone of its new telecommunications network, dubbed the "backbone network."

A backbone network is computer network infrastructure that connects various parts of the network.

Under the deal, the Korean telecommunications firm will lay fiber optic cable and internet networks nationwide by November 2009. The company will also provide equipment and training for systems operators, KT officials said.

KT will also provide the central African nation with security and control systems required to establish and run the network operations center.

The contract signed yesterday is the second deal KT has formed with the Rwandan government after the contract to establish a WiBro wireless internet network and fiber optic cable network signed in November last year.

KT also said yesterday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Apple Inc. to collaborate in applying the WiBro technology to the U.S. company`s products including the iPod media players and MacBook laptop computers.

KT officials said that the two companies also plan to sell MacBook laptop computers bundled with WiBro service at Apple retail stores and KT outlets at cheaper prices than other retail channels.

By Choi He-suk

(cheesuk@heraldm.com)