5G SA network future in doubt
Deployment in 2020 unlikely
When 5G standalone network will be rolled out in South Korea is now in doubt after the country’s tech minister said it wasn’t thinking of providing 28GHz services for all citizens.
South Korea has rolled out 5G non-standalone network last year __ in which 4G network’s control plane is used together with 5G data plane.
In August, T-Mobile rolled out 5G standalone networks in the US. The carrier has said it will provide high speed, low latency and massive connectivity that will reach the true potential of 5G networks.
The carrier’s 5G core network uses Cisco and Nokia’s equipment while the 5G wireless network uses Ericsson and Nokia’s kits.
Last month, South Korean carrier SK Telecom said 28GHz and standalone networks was more appropriate for business-to-business associations.
The carrier has boasted a year ago that it would be rolling out 5G standalone network in the first half of 2020, saying data processing speed will triple that of 5G non-standalone networks.
Minister Choi Ki-young comments is being considered as a confirmation that 5G standalone network will not roll out this year.
The ministry said it was up to the carriers to decide whether they will roll out 28GHz-based 5G network nationwide.