Lee Jae-yong's First Step of the New Year, Samsung Research Instead of CES

Next-Generation Communication Technology Research Site
First Schedule of the Year Draws Attention
Active Investment Announced for 6G and More
Core Base Technologies Like AI and Autonomous Vehicles
US, Japan, and Europe Battle for Leadership
Samsung Electronics Holds the Key to Catch Up

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong's first schedule of the new year was a visit to Samsung Research, where next-generation communication technologies are being developed. It was neither the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024) held in Las Vegas, USA, until the 12th, nor the Davos Forum starting on the 15th in Switzerland. Instead of choosing a stage attracting international attention, he selected the site of next-generation communication technology research, which is analyzed as indicating Samsung Electronics' focus this year on technological leadership and investment. In particular, his focus on research into next-generation communication technologies, including 6G, is interpreted as emphasizing technological innovation and active investment in future technologies.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong visited Samsung Research in Umyeon-dong, Seoul on the 10th and held a meeting with researchers from the Samsung Research Next-Generation Communication Research Center and the Samsung Electronics Network Business Division, followed by a photo session. Photo by Samsung Electronics

On the afternoon of the 10th, Chairman Lee emphasized at Samsung Research, "Our survival and future depend on securing new technologies." He continued, "The more difficult the times, the more proactive research and development (R&D) and unwavering investment are needed," and urged, "Let's challenge more boldly and fiercely."

This is the first time in five years since January 2019 that Chairman Lee has checked network communication technology as his first management move of the new year, when he attended the launch ceremony of the 5G equipment production line at Samsung Electronics' Suwon plant. His rare move suggests that this year, he considers the development and preemption of communication technology to be important.

In particular, the business community is paying attention to Samsung's 6G development. 6G is a core foundational technology that enables advanced technologies such as AI, autonomous vehicles, robots, and extended reality (XR) to be realized in everyday life. Major advanced countries around the world are engaged in a hegemony battle over this technology. The United States, Europe, Japan, and others are promoting securing leadership in 6G technology as a national project. China has been researching this technology since 2019 through the IMT-2030 Promotion Group, a 6G technology research organization under the Ministry of Information and Communications. Compared to this, we are latecomers. Our government only selected 6G technology as one of the 12 national strategic technologies at the end of last year and has begun full-scale nurturing. Due to the late start, we are now in a situation where we must hurry to catch up with competing countries this year.

There is an analysis that the key to overturning the competitive structure lies with Samsung Electronics. Samsung Electronics has the experience and capability of commercializing 5G technology for the first time in the world in 2019. Based on this, it has expanded its position in communication technology on the global stage. Samsung Electronics has secured the most chair positions (2 chairs and 7 vice chairs) in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the mobile communication standardization cooperation organization that standardizes 5G and 6G mobile communication technologies. It also holds the chairmanship of the 6G framework working group under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, and the chairmanship of the frequency working group of the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), securing a position to express opinions on which frequencies and equipment standards will be used in the 6G era. This year, Samsung Electronics is expected to leverage this to lead international standardization and shake up the competition among countries surrounding 6G. Meanwhile, internally, it has set efficiency innovation, intelligence, and security innovation as core goals of 6G research and is focusing on technology development. Through the ‘Samsung 6G Forum,’ it continues to disclose achievements related to 6G technologies such as terahertz band communication (sub-㎔).

Meanwhile, Chairman Lee also began his communication efforts this year, continuing from the special pardon (restoration of rights) on August 15, 2022. He held a meeting with researchers from the Next-Generation Communication Research Center at Samsung Research and the Network Business Division of Samsung Electronics, engaging in candid conversations. Chairman Lee encouraged the employees for their achievements in technology development and market expansion so far and urged them to strive to maintain ‘super-gap leadership’ in next-generation communication through continuous R&D. He also listened to various suggestions and ideas from employees, including creating an organizational culture that does not fear failure.

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