'Speed of Dreams' 28GHz 5G Network Expansion... Minister Im Hye-sook Meets CEOs of Three Telecom Companies

Promotion of Pilot Project and Subway Line 2 Wi-Fi Demonstration Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] With 15 million subscribers to 5th generation mobile communication (5G), the 'National 5G Era' has officially begun. The government is joining hands with the three major telecom companies to expand the 'dream 5G' 28 GHz band 5G network, which enables hyperconnectivity. The three telecom companies will promote various pilot projects and a Wi-Fi demonstration project on Subway Line 2.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT held a meeting with representatives of the three major telecom companies at the Government Seoul Office to discuss key 5G-related issues. The meeting was attended by Park Jung-ho, CEO of SK Telecom; Koo Hyun-mo, CEO of KT; and Hwang Hyun-sik, CEO of LG Uplus.

Minister Lim Hye-sook Requests 5G Quality Improvement from the Three Telecom Companies

The meeting mainly discussed the progress of nationwide 5G network construction in the 3.5 GHz band and measures to activate the 28 GHz band 5G. South Korea commercialized 5G for the first time in the world in April 2019, and in April this year, the number of 5G subscribers surpassed 15 million in just two years. Exports of domestic equipment and content have also begun in earnest.

In her opening remarks, Minister Lim Hye-sook said, "The importance of 5G networks has been highlighted as non-face-to-face and digital transformation accelerated due to COVID-19." She added, "As the number of 5G subscribers increases, social interest and expectations for 5G coverage and quality are rising, so please make every effort to expand 5G coverage, improve quality, and activate 28 GHz 5G."

She also urged, "Furthermore, while the three telecom companies are diversifying their business areas such as media, content, and commerce to overcome growth limitations, much attention and investment are needed for network advancement, which is the foundation of all innovative services."

During the discussion on current issues, Minister Lim pointed out that many users are dissatisfied with 5G quality and requested prompt quality improvements. She also asked that, according to the 5G network construction plan announced last year, a dense 5G network be built mainly in 85 cities by 2022 and that investments in rural areas to bridge the digital divide be carried out without delay.

Three Telecom Companies to Launch Pilot Projects and Install Subway Wi-Fi

The three telecom companies will also work to expand 5G coverage and improve quality to provide 5G services that satisfy users. All attendees agreed on the need to activate the 28 GHz 5G band, and they decided to promote pilot projects and a subway Wi-Fi demonstration project to activate 28 GHz 5G.

The 28 GHz pilot project discussions began through the '28 GHz 5G Activation Task Force' launched in March this year, with each telecom company independently selecting locations and specifying the services to be provided. The 28 GHz 5G network will be piloted at 10 locations nationwide, including COEX, Suwon Wizpark, and Buyeo Jeongnimsaji. At some locations, the general public will have the opportunity to experience 28 GHz devices.

Regarding subway Wi-Fi, the 28 GHz 5G Activation Task Force concluded that configuring the backhaul with the 28 GHz 5G network could dramatically improve subway Wi-Fi quality. Accordingly, a demonstration will be conducted on the branch section of Subway Line 2 (from Sinseol-dong to Seongsu Station). The Ministry of Science and ICT, the three telecom companies, and Seoul Metro will continue to cooperate to improve Wi-Fi quality inside subway cars and strengthen collaboration for the success of the Digital New Deal.

Additionally, the three telecom companies agreed to promote 'ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management,' which has emerged as an important value amid growing interest in environmental issues and the climate crisis. Starting in July this year, they will carry out an 'environmentally friendly maintenance project' for mobile communication base stations to organize the proliferation and aging of base stations.

Minister Lim Hye-sook stated, "Millimeter-wave technology, including the 28 GHz band, will become increasingly important and useful as communication technologies evolve toward 6G and beyond." She added, "We will use this 28 GHz pilot project and subway Wi-Fi demonstration project as opportunities to accumulate technological development and utilization experience to activate 28 GHz 5G and strive to lead even beyond 6G."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.