Orascom Telecom Holding was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in DPRK in January 2008. Koryolink has deployed its 3G network to initially cover Pyongyang, which has a population of more than 2 million, with an ambitious plan to expand its coverage to the entire country.At network launch in December 2008, the network had 5,300 subscribers. Orascom reported 432,000 North Korean subscribers after two years of operation (December 2010), increasing to 809,000 by September 2011, and exceeding one million by February 2012. By April 2013, subscriber numbers neared two million.In 2015 subscriber numbers exceeded 3 million and the network was profitable. However, the Government of North Korea refused permission to transfer profits from North Korea to Orascom and even started a second carrier (Byol) to compete with Koryolink. As result Orascom in its financial result reported, that it lost control over Koryolink's activities.Only calls within North Korea are allowed on Koryolink. However smuggled North Korean phones have been used just over the border in China to access international lines.