Korean consumers are expected to enjoy superfast 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) internet service within the year as the country’s top two broadband companies KT Corp. and SK Broadband Co. are ready to service 10Gbps-baced services to Korean homes.

According to industry sources on Tuesday, KT is poised to launch its 10Gbps home broadband internet over the next two months as it is in the last stage of developing services targeting the home internet market after completing trial service, said an official from KT.

The company is expected to unveil 2.5Gbps, 5Gbps and 10Gbps network services for home internet users during a press conference scheduled later this year, the official added.

The 10Gbps internet speed is approximately 10 times faster than the 1Gbps service, allowing its users to download a 15-gigabyte UHD movie in just 12 seconds. In Korea, high-speed gigabit internet service was launched in 2014 for the first time by KT, and it has taken less than four years to introduce the 10Gbps internet service.

SK Broadband, the internet and television service unit wholly-owned by Korea’s leading telecommunications company SK Telecom, also is aiming to launch its 10Gbps home internet service this year with trial services starting this week at a few selected houses.

“We’re planning to target home office users first and then gradually expand its reach across the country,” said a SK Broadband official.

To ensure seamless 10Gbps internet services, the companies will install additional fiber-optic cables.

By Lee Sun-hee and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]