SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus turned on their 5G networks
SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus turned on their 5G networks at midnight on the 1st of December 2018. The services have limited coverage and are initially only available for businesses using mobile routers. The services will be available to consumers nationwide starting from March 2019 when the 5G handsets become available. The 5G networks deployed comply with the 3GPP 5G non-standalone new radio standard.
KT launched its services in parts of Seoul, and the SK Telecom’s network now deployed in 13 cities, including Seoul, was inaugurated in October 2018 with the a 5G call between Bundang and Myeongdong using a smartphone prototype from Samsung. LG Uplus announced the installation of 4100 5G base stations, planning to cover 85 cities by rolling out more than 7,000 by end-December.
The auctions for the 3.5GHz and 28GHz bands raised KRW3.61 trillion ($3.2 billion) in June 2018.
