SK Telecom will launch its first 5G commercial service in "Gangnam" and "Ansan".

SK Telecom will initially market 5G (5G) mobile communications in Gangnam (Seoul) and Ansan (Gyeonggi-do).

SK Telecom will install a baseband unit (BBU, data section) for the 5G network at Gangnam Station in Seoul and the Knowledge Business Center in Banwol, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. The BBU is the long-term equipment that corresponds to the endless DU (LTE) and is responsible for data processing.

SK Telecom has begun field inspection for the installation of equipment. Type BBU 1 connects four to six wireless communication units (RFUs, wireless). The RFU exchanges radio waves with the user terminal. BBU and RFU have been confirmed as Samsung equipment. In Gangnam and Ansan, RFU should be located near the BBU.

SK Telecom stated that it was difficult to define the location, but that it was performing pre-simulation work, such as network maintenance for the construction of base stations. Once the work is complete, the terminal interworking test, such as base station installation, network optimization and handover, is performed.

The newly introduced Central Unit in the 5G network configuration would be located in the SK Telecom Clearing House. The CU is responsible for the processing of 5G (SW) network software such as cloud, virtualization and communication time reduction.

SK Telecom markets 5G in the 3.5 GHz band in non-standard mode (NSA, non-standalone mode). It connects the LTE radio network and the 5G wireless network to the LTE core (EPC), speeding up and providing coverage at the same time.

The maximum speed of the 3.5 GHz NSA method should be 2 to 5 Gbps. The mobile terminal (dongle) developed by Samsung Electronics is a strong candidate. In the user terminal, a speed of 1 Gbps or more is expected. The maximum speed supported by Samsung's "Axis Modem 5100" at 6 GHz or less is 2 Gbps.

A SK Telecom official said: "SK Telecom plans to provide external users of the Gangnam Station and the first 5G service of the Ansan Banwol Industrial Complex, inside and out of the city. a specific building ".

SK Telecom was convinced that it would be ready for marketing for the remaining month, as the company has continued to cooperate with the manufacturer since the beginning of the equipment selection process at the beginning of the year. By the beginning of December, SK Telecom is expected to add several other commercial zones, including Gangnam and Ansan.

SK Telecom, KT and LG U + are also looking for the first commercial service area of ​​5G. This is because the top three companies are trying to market 5G globally.

The world's first 5G technology marketing competition is getting hotter, while AT & T announced that it would introduce the "world's first 5G mobile service" when announced by the lecture of his performance.

Ahn, Choon Communications Specialist reporter [email protected]