As the phones will be sold at higher prices and with 5G network coverage not yet comprehensive, consumers will have to wait a little bit longer to fully enjoy ultra-fast 5G internet on their mobile devices. (image: SK Telecom)
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The new generation of 5G telecommunications technology is expected to dawn upon the nation come December 1.
South Korea’s three major telecommunication operators will be initiating their 5G services in six major cities including the Seoul metropolitan area next month.
The transmission speed of 5G is 20 times that of LTE at 20 Gbps, and can transmit 100 times more data. However, the 5G service to kick off next week is solely catered to corporate mobile routers.
The average individual consumer will have to wait until March of next year to be able to experience 5G speeds. A mobile router converts 5G signals to Wi-Fi for use by consumers.
Although in theory, laptops and tablet PCs that connect to routers can utilize 5G speeds, Korea’s telecom operators have decided to sell mobile routers to businesses only for now.
This is because the current 5G network infrastructure is not comprehensive enough to provide extensive coverage.
Phone operators are currently in the process of augmenting the network so that by March next year, 5G service will truly be available to the masses.
Samsung Electronics Co. is expected to release the first smartphone that supports 5G technology in March.
The only smartphone that will be available from the Korean tech giant in the market in the first half of the year offering 5G support is the Galaxy S10.
Other phone producers such as LG Electronics Inc., Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Inc. are prepping for the release of their own 5G smartphones.
As the phones will be sold at higher prices and with 5G network coverage not yet comprehensive, consumers will have to wait a little bit longer to fully enjoy ultra-fast 5G internet on their mobile devices.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
