IT research firm Gartner says... revenue generated by hardware and service providers in the sector...

will top 3-hundred billion U.S. dollars in 2020.

But why look so far ahead? Koreans have already started to integrate

the concept into their daily lives... and our Laah Hyun-kyung reports... there's much

more to come. Connecting physical objects through the Internet,... and creating new

information and business models -- it is called the Internet of Things.

Here's an example. Footage is recorded through numerous surveillance

cameras on expressways... and data is collected... but instead of simply having the two pieces

of information relayed,... the Internet is used to help connect the two, and provide

authorities better control of the traffic system.

And there will be many more examples to list in the future... with the concept evolving

into what's called the Internet of Everything.

"There will be massive improvements in efficiency. For example, using energy usage to make the

planet more green. Also improvements in agriculture. Making up food where we keep track of rainfall,

appropriate fertilization to maximally use our agricultural capacity given the climate

change and everything else."

For that... Internet connectivity and the availability of wireless and cellular networks

is critical. It does not hurt that Korea has a state-of-the

art mobile network system.

"But even with advanced internet connectivity, there are still many more hurdles that not

only Korea but the global markets need to overcome before the concept becomes a full

part of our daily lives."

"The format in which data is sent to networks is not standardized. People will feel the

actual effects... only if related businesses can agree on a standardized protocol... for

developing technologies and devices."

The Korean government plans to inject 50 million dollars into fostering the Internet of Things

market in 2014. Although experts say it will take years, if

not generations, for the Internet of Everything to be fully commercialized globally... they

also agree that the market for the Internet of Things in Korea... is very close to being

realized. Laah Hyun-kyung, Arirang News.