"When switching to 5G (fifth-generation mobile communications) standalone (SA) mode, some speed degradation is unavoidable (though temporary)."
Director Nam Young-jun of the Ministry of Science and ICT's Frequency Policy Division stated accordingly at a briefing on detailed policy plans for frequency reallocation held on the 10th at Government Complex Seoul.
Until now, major domestic telecom companies have provided 5G service using a non-standalone (NSA) method that employs both 5G and Long Term Evolution (LTE) frequencies. However, in an artificial intelligence (AI) era with low-latency, ultra-high-speed communications, they determined that adopting standalone (SA), which uses only 5G frequencies, is essential and decided to mandate it. Accordingly, 5G base stations built to date must be connected to 5G standalone core equipment by 2026.
Director Nam said, "Mobile carriers will make efforts such as adjusting cell plans or building additional base stations to maintain service quality," adding, "Speed is affected by the number of base stations and frequency bandwidth, so such investment can contribute to quality improvements." He continued, "The mandatory transition to 5G SA proceeds on the premise that operators are willing to pursue it voluntarily, and if it is not implemented, we will take administrative measures such as corrective orders."
The Ministry of Science and ICT emphasized that to improve 5G indoor quality, it has arranged for the reallocation fee to be reduced if carriers build a certain number of 5G indoor base stations. Director Nam said, "If operators build more than 20,000 indoor 5G base stations, the final reallocation fee for LTE frequencies will drop to about 2.9 trillion won," adding, "This appears to be an important investment incentive for improving indoor 5G quality." The Ministry of Science and ICT said that, with the introduction of 5G SA, the role of 4G (LTE) frequencies is expected to diminish, and announced that it has set the LTE frequency reallocation fee at 3.1 trillion won, about 15% lower than the previous reference price (3.6 trillion won).
Director Nam said, "The calculation of the LTE frequency reallocation fee is based on the Radio Waves Act and its enforcement decree, with past allocation fees preferentially reflected," adding, "Some degree of government discretion may be necessary in this process." He added, "To avoid abusing such discretion, we are collecting operators' opinions, and discussions on the need for institutional improvements will continue."
The Ministry of Science and ICT also explained why it limited the use period of the 1.8 GHz and 2.6 GHz frequencies to three years when reallocating 5G frequencies. Director Nam said, "This is a judgment for efficient frequency use in preparation for future 6G (sixth-generation mobile communications) commercialization," adding, "After three years, through a transition to TDD (time division duplex), they can be used as candidate bands for 6G." He continued, "The 1.8 GHz decision was based on the government's judgment, not at the operators' request, and we plan to review reallocation or new allocation again going forward."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and ICT did not specify the timing for ending 3G (third-generation mobile communications). Director Nam said, "The shutdown of 3G service falls under the Telecommunications Policy Bureau, so it is difficult to give a specific answer on the timing," adding, "Some operators want to end 3G and are presenting their views to the relevant authorities."