Byeon Jae-il "5G Wireless Stations Concentrated in Seoul... Discrimination Against Local Subscribers"

Assemblyman Byeon Jae-il of the National Assembly Science and ICT Committee
Disclosure of 5G Coverage Data of the Three Major Telecom Companies as of August

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it would establish 5th generation (5G) networks in major administrative districts of 85 cities by 2021, but it has been revealed that 5G base station equipment remains concentrated in Seoul.

According to data on '5G coverage, number of base stations, and number of devices of the three major telecom companies as of August 2021' submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT to Assemblyman Byeon Jae-il (Democratic Party), a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, the number of base stations per coverage area (km²) was ▲Seoul 20 stations ▲6 major metropolitan cities 6 stations ▲10 cities and provinces 3.3 stations.

The number of devices per coverage area was also concentrated in Seoul, with ▲Seoul 41.5 devices ▲6 major metropolitan cities 12.6 devices ▲10 cities and provinces 6.4 devices.

Previously, the Ministry of Science and ICT had focused 5G investments on Seoul and the 6 major metropolitan cities last year to build a data highway, planned to expand to major administrative districts of 85 cities this year, and to extend 5G infrastructure to the central areas of major towns and townships in 85 cities by 2022.

Assemblyman Byeon pointed out, "As of August this year, the number of base stations in the 10 cities and provinces, which announced investment plans this year, was only 16% compared to Seoul when checked by coverage area."

He added, "Although issues of regional neglect regarding 5G quality were raised last year, some expected sufficient investment in cities outside Seoul this year, considering that it is still the early stage of investment and that the expansion plan to 85 major administrative districts is being implemented this year. The fact that the number of base stations and devices was mainly concentrated in Seoul and large metropolitan areas is discrimination against regional subscribers," he emphasized.

In fact, according to the 5G quality evaluation results announced by the Ministry of Science and ICT in August this year, the 5G data transmission speed in large cities was 850.62 Mbps (megabits per second, the speed at which 1 million bits can be transmitted per second), which was 69.03 Mbps faster than the speed of 781.59 Mbps in small and medium-sized cities.

Assemblyman Byeon said, "It is clear that Seoul-centered 5G investment strategies affect the quality of 5G services in the provinces. According to the data highway construction plan, next year the data highway will be expanded to 85 major towns and townships, so the Ministry of Science and ICT must thoroughly manage and supervise to ensure telecom companies expand investments in the provinces."

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