Korean mobile carriers to face off in 5G at global forum

South Korean mobile carriers SK Telecom and KT are planning to showcase their efforts related to the fifth-generation network at an international forum in an ongoing competition to commercialize the network as an industry first, according to the two companies Tuesday.

SKT will unveil its research achievements in the commercialization of the 5G network and core technologies at the Next Generation Mobile Networks conference set to kick off in Seattle on Wednesday.

The NGMN is an international organization of global mobile carriers that discuss the standardization of new network infrastructure, telecom service platforms and devices. 

At the forum, SKT is planning to introduce the company’s successful demonstration of interworking the 4G Long Term Evolution and 5G networks, a key technology to move forward commercialization of the upcoming network.

KT, the chair of the NGMN’s 5G Test of Technology Building Blocks program, will also announce the results of its tests, known as the first phase of 5G commercialization, at Wednesday’s event.

According to KT, the company conducted two tests of the technology building blocks in March and June, and had suggested the results to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, or 3GPP, an international body to set standards for 5G.

“The 5G equipment based on 3GPP standards will start to be supplied next year,” said Lee Yong-gyu, a senior vice president of the network strategy business at KT.

By Song Su-hyun (song@heraldcorp.com)