Value context and insight. lkm@koreatimes.co.kr
ICT minister promotes Korea's advanced 5G technology at MWC
Science and ICT Minister Lim Hye-sook delivers a keynote speech at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, March 1 (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
Korea will lead the global advancement of high-tech telecommunication technologies, underpinned by continued efforts to take the initiative in innovation-led technologies such as the metaverse, blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, the country's ICT minister said Wednesday.
Her reiteration of the overarching policy drive coincides with a growing number of requests from around the world for strengthened technology cooperation to establish high-speed internet service in remote and underdeveloped regions and wireless connections in trains and subways. Greater personnel and technology exchanges will be in store for 6G, the next generation of enhanced telecommunication standards following 5G.
“I was able to confirm the global standing of Korea, especially in the sectors of 5G and metaverse, key ICT technologies,” she said after attending Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual event is the world's largest mobile communication exhibition.
Lim delivered a keynote speech during a ministerial session on the global outlook for mobile communications, March 1 (local time), the first day of the four-day event, to share Korea's achievements in 5G.
Examples included case studies whereby 5G services were available for residents in sparsely populated remote and rural areas, after the government and three local telecommunication operators agreed to grant the shared use of 5G network infrastructure.
“Korea was the first in the world to commercialize 5G services in April 2019, and has since earned meaningful results in evaluations by global research institutes,” she said. “This has led to an opportunity for major Korean firms to expand 5G services with their global peers.”
The government will facilitate the development of 6G technologies, defined as internet speeds 50 times faster and expanded maximum altitude for service coverage to 10 kilometers. Its full commercialization is expected between 2028 and 2030.
Lim had an interview with Jessica Rosenworcel, the chairwoman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and made a suggestion for cooperation between Korean firms and their U.S. counterparts to advance high-speed internet connections in the U.S.
She also met with Finnish Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka to bolster cooperation in 6G technologies.
During a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Technology Johnny Gerard Plate, Lim recommended that Indonesia share with the world its success in establishing 28GHz wireless service in subways with the help of Korea.
Lim will meet with Mats Granryd, director-general of the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA), a worldwide association of mobile operators and the mobile industry, to sign an agreement for cooperation in metaverse technologies.