South Korea is a world leader in 5G deployment, but so far South Korea has only been able to access new generation networks below 6Ghz. LG Uplus and Qualcomm have launched the first millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G network in the country, although limited to the Kumoh National Institute of Technology (KIT) in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
The newly implemented network enhances KIT’s smart campus model aimed at transforming education through low-latency virtual desktop access, remote classes with seamless two-way communication, and AI-related R & D.
The advantage of millimeter waves is that they use much higher frequencies in the range of 24-40 Ghz. This leads to faster data speeds (up to 5Gb / s), but its reach is severely limited compared to sub-6Ghz networks, which are more common in most regions. LG’s millimeter-wave network operates in the 28GHz range and can be accessed from LG smartphones equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 chipset and X555G modem.
Large-scale commercialization of millimeter-wave 5G in South Korea is expected to continue in 2021. KT Telecom plans to introduce millimeter-wave 5G to an athletic facility in Suwon, South Korea, and SK Telecom plans to deploy a millimeter-wave test network at Incheon International Airport. Of a large COVID-19 prevention system.
