South Korea can triple the 5G download speed from current level, according to top ICT policymaker.

Responding to a lawmaker questioning the viability of reaching the theoretical max of 20 Gbps for 5G during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday, Science and ICT Minister Choi Ki-young said Korea’s 5G band has room to raise the download speed to 1.9 Gbps from current 624 Mbps.

The minister added the government is planning to secure a 2,640 ㎒ frequency band to support the upscale.

Choi explained that the frequency band to be additionally secured includes the commercially available 3.5 GHz and mid-low band frequencies. Regarding the 28 ㎓ frequency, he said the government will continue to push forward to build a 28 ㎓ network for business-to-business services or for hot spots.

By Shin Chan-ok and Minu Kim

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