Korea urgently needs to invest in 5G (fifth-generation mobile network) standalone (SA) infrastructure to prepare for the spread of next-generation services that require high reliability and ultra-high bandwidth, such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality (XR), and autonomous driving. It is also essential for the transition to 6G (sixth-generation mobile network).
Mischa Dohler, Ericsson's vice president for new technologies, said this on the 22nd at Ericsson Innovation Day 2025 held in Itaewon, Seoul.
Vice President Dohler said, "As Korea has the world's highest level of 5G penetration and government-led research and development capabilities in 6G, the shift to 5G SA will be an important foundation for securing the lead in the global 6G race."
Korea's current 5G network is in NSA (non-standalone) form. Because it provides 5G service by relying on the 4G (fourth-generation mobile network) long-term evolution (LTE) network, an immediate transition to 6G is difficult. Ericsson argues that Korea must build 5G SA, which consists solely of a 5G network, to lead the transition to 6G. Even when moving to 6G, it must go in an NSA form based on 5G SA. SA, a 5G standalone network, can fully realize native 5G characteristics such as low latency and network slicing (a technology that operates one physical network as multiple virtual networks). On this basis, new services such as ultra-high-speed data transmission, hologram communication, and AI function integration become possible.
Ericsson also pointed to structural problems that hinder Korea's transition to 6G. In addition to delays in shifting to 5G SA, it cited reduced telecom capital expenditures (CAPEX), stalled technological progress due to reliance on 5G non-standalone (NSA), and telecom operators' concentrated investment in AI as key factors. Vice President Dohler said, "5G is not a simple generational replacement but a core infrastructure that will support an AI-, AR-, and API-based platform economy," adding, "Korea is a market with both technological capabilities and institutional foundations, and if the SA transition and network innovation accelerate now, it has ample potential to grow into a global 6G leader."
Vice President Dohler stressed that network infrastructure investment will grow to prepare for the surge in data usage driven by technological advances. He said, "Even if 20% of the global population uses AI-based smart glasses for only about 10 minutes a day, global data traffic is expected to triple," adding, "Expanding network infrastructure to prepare for this is the trend of the times." According to Ericsson, it spends $5 billion a year solely on network research and development (R&D), or about 7 trillion won.
Vice President Dohler added, "By expanding investment, we will provide world-class products and solutions and grow into a key player in the network ecosystem."
Ericsson also expressed strong confidence in its network security. Vice President Dohler said, "In consideration of security issues, we are preparing hardware with security functions built into the network end to end. We will enable operations through security function automation," adding, "On the software side, we are discussing ways to embed security features from the early stages of equipment design." On this day, Ericsson introduced a zero-trust security framework that integrates AI-based threat detection and response with hardware Root of Trust, built-in EDR, and IMSI catcher blocking technology. Vice President Dohler said, "Through this, Ericsson can respond to increasingly sophisticated security threats while strengthening the network's resilience."
Sibel Tombaz, CEO of Ericsson Korea, said, "Ericsson aims to be a strategic partner to jointly address the challenges facing Korea's telecommunications industry, based on AI-native 5G Advanced, autonomous networks, security, and energy efficiency technologies," adding, "We will be a trusted partner that leads long-term industrial growth beyond short-term technology adoption."