5G signal strength in Seoul’s Lotte World Tower weakens significantly at higher floors. (Image courtesy of Lotte Property & Development)
SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent analysis has found that 5G signal strength in Seoul’s Lotte World Tower weakens significantly at higher floors, highlighting potential indoor coverage challenges in skyscrapers.
According to Ookla, the operator of the network speed testing site Speedtest, the Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) at the lower floors of Lotte World Tower measured -71.14 dBm, while the higher floors recorded -92.54 dBm—a difference of approximately 20 dBm. Generally, RSRP above -90 dBm is considered strong, while readings between -90 dBm and -100 dBm indicate moderate signal strength.
In contrast, other global skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, One World Trade Center and the Empire State Building in New York, and Taipei 101 in Taiwan, exhibited minimal 5G signal variation between lower and higher floors, with a difference of less than 3 dBm.
Ookla attributed the signal disparity in Lotte World Tower to a lack of indoor 5G coverage solutions, with most signals originating from outdoor base stations. The company emphasized that observation decks in these buildings require strong 5G connectivity, ensuring minimal signal degradation at higher elevations.
Among the surveyed buildings, Shanghai Tower in China demonstrated the strongest indoor 5G performance, with a weighted average RSRP of -71.04 dBm. Meanwhile, London’s The Shard recorded the weakest signal at -96.69 dBm, likely due to its extensive use of glass, which reflects and absorbs mobile signals.
In response to the findings, a representative from Lotte Property & Development stated, “We have not received any formal complaints from customers, residents, or visitors regarding network quality within Lotte World Tower. We continuously inspect relevant infrastructure and collaborate with mobile carriers to maintain an optimal network environment.”
As demand for high-quality 5G coverage in skyscrapers grows, telecom providers may need to implement more robust indoor coverage solutions to ensure consistent connectivity across all floors.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
