Telecom Companies Report 0.3% Implementation Rate for 5G 28GHz Base Stations... Mass Installation Notifications Expected by Year-End

Ministry of Science and ICT Eases Compliance Standards
Three Major Telecom Operators File Mass Reports... Fourfold Increase Compared to Previous Period

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The three mobile carriers, which had been passive in installing 5G 28GHz base stations, belatedly filed a large number of installation reports at the end of last year following the Ministry of Science and ICT's relaxation of standards. This move has been criticized as a 'trick' to avoid forced frequency revocation.

According to Rep. Yang Jeong-sook of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, as of the end of December last year, the three carriers had actually completed construction of only 138 5G 28GHz base stations (devices). The fulfillment rate compared to the mandatory requirement was only 0.3%. Combining general and joint constructions, SK Telecom completed 99 sites, KT 39 sites, and LG Uplus 0 sites.

Previously, when the 5G frequency was allocated in 2018, the three carriers promised the government to build a total of 45,000 28GHz base stations by the end of 2021. If the actual number of completed constructions by that time fell below 10% of the mandatory amount, i.e., 4,500 units, the frequency allocation would be canceled.

Facing an unavoidable cancellation of frequency allocation due to the low fulfillment rate, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced at the end of last year that it would relax the fulfillment standards. In the announcement of the fulfillment inspection criteria finalized on December 30, the ministry decided to count the base stations jointly built by the three carriers in the subway as overlapping for each company. In other words, one jointly built base station would be counted as three. By changing the fulfillment inspection criteria from 'installation' to 'reporting,' the ministry agreed to recognize the carriers' base station installation plans filed by the end of the year as actual achievements for the time being.

The three carriers only began filing installation reports in December after the criteria change. In December alone, the three carriers reported plans to install 1,677 28GHz base stations. From May 2018, when the frequency was allocated, until November 2021, over two and a half years, the number of installation reports was only 437, so this represents nearly a fourfold increase.

There are also criticisms that the Ministry of Science and ICT gave the carriers a grace period by setting the inspection date for the actual construction of the base stations reported by the end of last year to April 30 of this year.

Rep. Yang Jeong-sook said, "The Ministry of Science and ICT and the three carriers are ignoring the rights of the people and are hastily trying to overcome the crisis with a superficial trick," adding, "The ministry should now present a proper policy direction and stance for 28GHz 5G service for the welfare of the public's communication services."

SK Telecom explained, "The three carriers are cooperating with the government to improve subway Wi-Fi services and are making efforts to activate the 28GHz band," adding, "This joint use recognition was decided by the government through expert consultations based on the carriers' proposals to provide free, high-quality services to the public." LG Uplus stated, "LG Uplus is doing its best for the rapid commercialization of the 28GHz subway joint construction and has currently installed about 100 units on Line 7," adding, "We are managing the wireless stations that have filed completion reports to ensure inspections are completed as soon as possible and will strive to build the 28GHz subway wireless stations early."

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