Samsung’s 5G Connectivity Node. (image: Samsung Electronics Co.)
SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics Co.’s new assembly line at Suwon, Gyeonggi Province for 5G network communication devices began operation on Thursday, making it the second of its kind following the first assembly line built in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam.
The new assembly line was relocated from Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province to maximize synergy with 5G R&D institutions in Suwon. Samsung expects that the measure will strengthen its competitiveness in 5G technology.
Last year, Samsung Electronics designated 5G as a business with future potential, speeding up the drive to boost competitiveness.
5G technology is expected to become a platform for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, serving as the engine of new service expansions involving smartphones, self-driving automobiles and other technologies.
Samsung Electronics accounts for roughly 5 percent of the global market for LTE network devices.
Samsung’s share was able to reach 11 percent by the second quarter of 2018, which is still smaller than other competitors including Huawei (28.9 percent), Ericsson (27.6 percent), and Nokia (25.8 percent).
Samsung Electronics plans to tap into the 5G market through closer coordination with mobile carriers in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
Last year, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and other U.S. mobile carriers selected Samsung as a supplier of 5G communication devices.
Samsung also showcased 5G technology to Russia’s MTS, Europe’s Orange, and Japan’s KDDI. Samsung aims to reach a market share of 20 percent by next year.
As for chipsets and terminals, Samsung developed a 5G standard multi-mode modem last year. By March, Samsung will introduce the Galaxy S10, which will support 5G.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
