In this blog, we will analyze how to build a Private 5G network. Private 5G network can be implemented in two ways. The first is to deploy physically-isolated private 5G network (5G island) that is independent of the mobile operator's public 5G network (as if building a wired LAN or a Wi-Fi WLAN in the enterprise). In this case, the private 5G network can be built by enterprises or m...

In this blog, we analyze the current state of commercial 5G network construction of KT and SK Telecom, and the difference of 5G value pursued. First Release: 2019.03.29 Last Updated: 2019.10.11 1. End-to-End 5G Network Architecture The 5G network can be functionally divided into 5G Core network and 5G RAN, and can be divided into Central Cloud and Edge Cloud which are geograp...

KT, who successfully demonstrated 5G network operation and 5G pilot service at PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February this year, officially declared the world's first commercialization of 5G service in March next year. KT held a press conference on March 22 and announced the world's first 5G commercialization in March 2019...

KT's 5G trial services that it had developed for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games were presented to the world at an ongoing test event called Hello PyeongChang (since last November until April). With around 300 days until the Olympic, the telco is carrying out various demonstrations in the test event where actual games as well as the Olympic rehearsal are being held. KT has been testin...

When we talk about 5G, there is one phrase that everyone agrees and likes to say – 5G will not only enhance speeds, but also have every thing ‘connected’ and every industry ‘converged’. What underlies all of this 'keeping every thing connected' is IoT while what keeps industries converged is artificial intelligence (AI) that analyzes big data and derives in...

In last November, KT, a South Korea-based telco, formed 'NB-IoT Alliance' with LG U+, aiming to launch NB-IoT service as early as Q1 2017. Later in the month, the company, apparently stimulated by SK Telecom who had just started LoRa-based, IoST-dedicated, commercial services, announced another plan to complete deployment of a nationwide NB-IoT network by June 2017 for faster entry to t...

On December 7th, "5G Network Technologies Workshop", co-hosted by 5G Forum and SDN/NFV Forum, was held in Novotel Ambassador Kangnam Hotel in Seoul, Korea. At the workshop, panels including Jinhyo Park (Head of Network Technology R&D Center at SK Telecom), Eun Kyung Paik (SVP at KT) and Kyung In Kwon (SVP at Ericsson-LG), gave presentations about "5G Network Technologies and Future", specifical...

Last month, KT, on its website, announced ‘KT 5G-SIG specifications’ as official specifications for 5G trial service to be launched during the PyeongChang Winter Olympic event, and shared its 5G strategies. All ten 5G radio access specifications shared were co-developed with KT’s partners, Samsung, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel and Qualcomm. With the world’s first common sp...

[KT's TV Service Revenue quickly catching up with Internet Service Revenue] High-speed Internet, once South Korean wired network operators' best performing sector, has long been experiencing stagnation in sales. To overcome this, the operators introduced IPTV services (live channels, VoD) that take advantage of the broadband Internet networks in 2009. They began with no more tha...

Upon his inauguration in 2014, KT's Chairman Hwang Chang Kyu presented a vision of GiGAtopia where all things and users are connected via GiGA infra and communication and other industries (like healthcare, media and traffic control) can integrated effectively on the infra, serving as a next-generation growth engine. In GiGA infra that will connect everything, the key elements of wired a...

On July 18th, AT&T, a mobile network operator in the USA, rolled out Network Function on Demand, a Virtual CPE (vCPE) service, followed by its rival Verizon who also launched the similar service named Virtual Network Service, three days later. So far, many debates have been held about "how to apply SDN/NFV technologies to operators' commercial networks", and dozens of use cases have b...

According to the recently amended Telecommunication Business Act (Article 56-2), telecommunication service providers now are required to release information needed for their subscribers to select wired and wireless Internet service, including which areas are covered, how service is provided, etc. To comply with the regulation, on the 28th of July, the South Korea’s big 3 operators ha...

The big 3 operators in South Korea, ST Telecom, KT and LG U+, each with a global standard oneM2M-certified IoT platform, are now aiming for global market. There is much attention in the industry towards which platform provider can build more partnerships with SMEs and startups, which is essential to present new, distruptive ideas and services. In order for the operators to expand the marke...

During the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, 5G pilot service will be offered by means of 8-band CA that combines 8 100MHz carriers, supporting over 10Gbps on devices - more than 33 times faster than the current LTE's maximum 300Mbps. The drastic speed improvement will make features like 360 degree realistic videos, realistic content services powered by VR and AR, etc. a reality. In additio...

Before we begin.. On March 10th, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) of the South Korea announced it would adjust the output power in unlicensed 900MHz band from the current 10mW to 200mW as an effort to stimulate the emerging IoT-related industry. The big 3, fueled by the announcement, are aggressively seeking ways to deploy IoT infrastructure. On March 18, SK Telec...

On March 18th, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP), a ministry of South Korean government, finally revealed its plan to hold a much overdue auction for mobile spectrum at the end of April, in 2 years and 8 months after the last one in August 2013. At the auction, a total of 140 MHz (2x70 MHz) across 5 blocks will be offered. Each of the Korean big 3 operators will have a cha...

Around this time of year, network operators and vendors are in fierce competition in introducing innovative next generation technologies and services with Mobile World Congress (MWC) fast approaching. This year, KT and SK Telecom have already been battling to present the world's first 5G technologies and services faster. On February 15th, with the MWC 2016 just one week away, Mr. Sun...

[Man speaks as the same is written on the screen] Only 1 minute before the gate is closed. My daughter is upset. And I am called on the intercom. I am running to the gate. [Girl cries] Dad! Animation movie! [Man speaks as the same is written on the screen] Oh no! I forgot to download the movie. Olleh GiGA LTE! Can you please do something? Anything? [Female narrator s...

I recently heard someone in the industry saying "While LG U+'s Vice President Sang-chul Lee is into IoT, KT's Chairman Chang-kyu Hwang is so into 5G. Whatever solution you propose, if it is for KT, it has to have "5G" in its title to, at least, get attention." Of the Korea's big 3 operators, KT has been most aggressive in sharing its strategies, network architecture, core technologi...

It's been only a year and a half since we excitedly introduced the Evolution of Mobile RAN Architecture in LTE/LTE-A Era (C-RAN) last April. And today we are discussing the same for 5G era already. Key transitions from 3G to 4G included i) network architecture change from coverage-based to capacity-based, and ii) introduction of new 4G element, X2 interface. Specifically, cells became s...