KT plans to deploy a test 5G network for verification next year
Korean telecoms operator KT and Samsung Electronics have completed a demonstration of what the compaines claim to be the world’s first 5G connection through a network built end-to-end for 5G.
The demo took place at Samsung Electronics’ Digital City Campus, in Suwon, South Korea. The test, which used sepctrum in the 28 GHz band, showcased full synchronization of wireless links, assignment of IP addresses to devices, implementation of security protocols and internet access delivered devices via a 5G virtualized core network.
“KT will continue its efforts to test 5G interoperability between multiple vendors through 2016, while working towards deployment of a test network for in-depth verification in 2017,” said Sungmok Oh, Head of Network Division at KT.
“We’re very pleased with our success on the world’s first end-to- end 5G connection only a few months after the PyeongChang 5G SIG common specifications were finalized,” said Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Executive Vice President and Head of Next Generation Communications Team at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is enthusiastic to continue its collaboration with industry leaders across the globe as we work to achieve future key next-generation milestones and draw 5G closer to our everyday communications.”
In September, Samsung and compatriot telco SK Telecom successfully tested handover between 5G base stations at 28 GHz in an outdoor environment.
SK Telecom and Samsung claimed the demo to be the world’s first to verify the performance of the 5G handover technology by connecting multiple millimeter wave base station systems to the operator’s fiber optic infrastructure.
Proximus signs strategic partnership with Huawei
In related news, Belgian operator Proximus has signed a strategic partnership with Chinese vendor Huawei. Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will collaborate on different areas including mobile experience leadership; next-generation video experience; telco cloud and data center-based business transformation; creation of the new network ecosystem needed for 5G and a closer collaboration in mobile device business.
“This agreement will ensure the continued development of our networks and services offering our customers the best user experience, today and tomorrow,” Proximus’ CEO Dominique Leroy, said.
Proximus launched commercial LTE services in Belgium in November 2012. The telco currently provides 4G technology through spectrum in the 800MHz, 1800MHz and 2.6GHz bands.
