South Korea’s three wireless carriers - SK Telecom Co., KT Corp., and LG Uplus Corp. - will launch world’s first commercial services of fifth-generation network across the country Saturday, providing users super-fast mobile internet speed and unprecedented mobile experience.

Industry leader SK Telecom said on Thursday that it will provide commercial 5G service to corporate customers in the manufacturing sector starting December 1. 5G service for corporate customers includes a package of mobile router, communications, and solution services. The fees vary for every corporate customer given customized service.

SK Telecom said that its 5G network service ensures backing of artificial intelligence (AI) network, high security, and sensibly fast internet speed. AI network, in particular, allows maintenance of high communications quality based on accurate prediction of time and location with excessive traffic.

LG Uplus is also expected to show off its new computing and network technologies by introducing 5G service on Saturday in Seoul and surrounding areas and other major cities. The company will first launch service using 5G routers and plans to offer more diverse services via 5G smartphones after March, next year.

The commercial launch comes after LG Uplus set up 4,100 5G base stations in 11 cities across the country including Seoul, Incheon, and those in Gyeonggi since October. The wireless carrier plans to set up more than 7,000 5G base stations by the end of this year and secure 5G service coverage across the country by March when smartphones supporting 5G technology are widely expected to roll out.

KT, which has been struggling from network disruption due to recent fire that broke out at its building in Ahyeon-dong, central Seoul, is also preparing frequency transmission for its commercial 5G service that is up to 20 times faster than long-term evolution network. The company will hold an in-house event on Saturday to celebrate the opening of 5G network at Gwacheon control center.

An unnamed official from KT said that it is doing its best to launch the best-quality 5G service based on differentiated technology and knowhow while at the same time it is focusing capability in damage recovery from the recent fire. The company didn’t disclose specific 5G business plans.

By Lee Sun-hee and Lee Eun-joo

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