The president of the major shareholder of Koryolink, Egypt's Orascom Telecom, recently stated that North Korea’s mobile phone users have surpassed 2 million. In North Korea, legal mobile phones can be used for voice calls, video calls, sending and receiving text messages, taking photos, and gaming, but they cannot make or receive international calls nor communicate with foreigners residing in North Korea.
Orascom is the first foreign company to obtain a commercial telecommunications license in North Korea. In 2008, Orascom, holding 75% of the shares, and North Korea's Postal and Telecommunications Company, holding 25%, jointly established CHEO Technology Co., Ltd., obtaining a 25-year 3G mobile service operation permit.
In the first year, there were only more than 1600 mobile phone users; in 2009, the number of mobile phone users increased to 100,000; in February 2012, it reached 1 million people and by November of the same year, it had increased to 1.5 million people; in May 2013, North Korea’s mobile phone users surpassed 2 million.
According to reports, North Korea’s mobile phone users are evenly distributed across 15 main cities, including Pyongyang, and more than 100 small and medium-sized cities. The primary mobile phone users in North Korea include "privileged classes" such as members of the Workers' Party. It is reported that high-ranking officials each own 2 to 3 mobile phones, and some of their children start holding mobile phones from high school. North Korean mobile phone users mainly use Chinese products like Huawei and ZTE, while high-ranking officials such as Workers' Party cadres primarily use Western brands like Nokia and Motorola. Mobile phone prices range from 150 to 300 US dollars. According to one source, the price of the latest touch-screen mobile phone is around 350 US dollars, requiring an advance payment of 20 to 30 US dollars for usage fees. (1 US dollar is approximately equal to 6.1237 RMB).
According to one source, North Korea has recently decided to relax its policy on making and receiving international calls in order to attract foreign investment in the Rajin-Sonbong Free Economic Zone in North Hamgyong Province, but this policy has not yet been implemented.