Korea’s KT will build 5G testing to support SMEs

Korea’s KT will build 5G testing to support SMEs

On September 16, 2020, Korean Carrier KT announced plans to build 5G test facilities nationwide. This move comes as part of the Korean government plan to support companies developing new services using 5G technology.

The KRW 28.5 billion (US$24.2 million) project aims to provide small and medium-sized firms access to research versions of the 5G network to test new services and is expected to be completed by 2023, according to RCR Wireless. The testing will be running in 4 different locations including Pangyo, south of Seoul, and the central city of Daejeon.

Korean Carrier KT plans to install 5G at the facilities on the 3.5 GHz and the 28 GHz bands by the end of 2020. Moreover, the carrier has announced that 200 employees will work on developing plans on how Artificial Intelligence, 5G, the cloud and the Research & Development will support the new deal scheme which is expected to create 550,000 jobs this year. 

According to Mobile World Live, Yoon-Young Park, head of the taskforce, said, “KT will create a commercial standards-based 5G network environment in which companies can research and contribute to the industry, with a focus on services including connected cars, drones, smart factories, and media streaming”.

Korean telecom operators have introduced 5G technology since April 2019. In July, they agreed to invest a total of KRW 25.7 trillion by 2022 aiming to boost 5G infrastructures across Korea, according to RCR Wireless. Despite the impacts of Covid-19 on the rollout of 5G network infrastructure, the operator expressed confidence in closing 2020 with 3.5 million 5G subscribers. 

Back in June 2019, Huawei opened its first 5G OpenLab in Seoul which was set to provide 5G network testing and verification environments for partners and help Korean enterprises use 5G networks to incubate new services, according to GlobeNewswire. 

Recently, the government of South Korea has announced its aims to proceed with a pilot project for non-standalone 6G services by 2026.