Korea Communications Agency (KCA) said on the 9th that domestic 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication) private networks (I-eum 5G) have surpassed 100 buildout sites. I-eum 5G is a service in which corporations and institutions, rather than mobile carriers, are allocated and designated 5G frequencies needed for buildings or factories and use them on-site.
The milestone of surpassing 100 sites comes four years after the Ministry of Science and ICT implemented the 5G private network introduction policy in 2021. KCA said it is "a result showing that 5G private networks are growing into core infrastructure that contribute to productivity gains and improved operational efficiency across various industries and support the digital and AI transition of industrial sites."
With the era of an AI grand transition, the scope is expanding to various fields, including AI smart factories and AI logistics centers that link in real time with AI-based robots and various sensors, as well as smart ports, healthcare, construction, and education.
Recently, cases of building entire buildings on a 5G private network basis, such as with HFR, have been increasing. HFR is a mid-sized telecommunications equipment company and a facilities-based telecommunications carrier that provides everything from 5G private network equipment development to operation services.
KCA opened the "5G Private Network Support Center" in 2021, when 5G private networks were introduced in Korea, and has supported the creation of the 5G private network ecosystem through consulting for demand-side corporations, buildout support, demonstration projects, and institutional improvements. The 5G Private Network Support Center plans to continue supporting additional frequency supply efforts, strengthen customized consulting for demand-side corporations and institutions, and identify institutional improvements. It also plans to lower the barriers to adoption of 5G private networks for small and mid-sized companies and strengthen a full lifecycle support system through the post-buildout operation phase.
KCA President Lee Sang-hoon said, "Surpassing 100 domestic buildout sites for 5G private networks is a result created by the systematic support of the Ministry of Science and ICT and KCA's 5G Private Network Support Center and the active adoption by industry," adding, "We will actively support ecosystem expansion by working closely with the Ministry of Science and ICT, industry, and related institutions so that 5G private networks can take root as core infrastructure for strengthening national industrial competitiveness."