LG Uplus said on the 15th that, together with Busan Transportation Corporation, it will upgrade the in-train Wi-Fi service on the Busan Metro based on 5G (fifth-generation mobile communications) to improve customers' wireless internet experience.
LG Uplus will convert the Wi-Fi network on Busan Metro trains operated by Busan Transportation Corporation from the existing LTE (fourth-generation mobile communications) base to a 5G base. Busan Metro will apply the LG Uplus 5G backhaul in the 3.5 GHz frequency band to provide faster and more stable wireless internet service. Backhaul refers to the transmission network through which the Wi-Fi routers (APs) installed in train cars exchange data with external base stations. The company said it expects to reduce connection delays and dropouts during rush hours when usage is concentrated and to further improve environments for large data transmission such as video viewing.
Following the upgrade of Wi-Fi on subways in Seoul and the greater metropolitan area, LG Uplus has also moved to push the upgrade of the Busan Metro and plans to expand it nationwide going forward. The corporation and LG Uplus are currently piloting 5G service on some trains and plan to expand the service to trains on all lines within the year.
Lee Byung-jin, president of Busan Transportation Corporation, said, "With the establishment of 5G-based Wi-Fi on trains, citizens will be able to enjoy fast and stable communications while using the metro," adding, "We will continue to expand digital-based smart transportation services and actively work to improve not only transportation welfare but also communications welfare that citizens can feel."
Gam Chung-ryeol, head of Gyeongnam Infrastructure at LG Uplus, said, "The 5G conversion of Busan Metro train Wi-Fi is a quality upgrade to enable customers to use a more stable wireless internet environment while on the move," adding, "We will continue to work with Busan Transportation Corporation to improve communications quality that citizens can feel and enhance the convenience of using public transportation."