Korea's 5G users top 20 million in November: data
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The number of smartphone users on 5G mobile networks topped 20 million as of November for the first time since the service was commercialized in 2019, data showed Monday.
Figures for November showed there were 20.19 million 5G users, accounting for around 28 percent of the country's 72.57 million mobile subscriptions, according to the data from the Ministry of Science and ICT.
South Korea, which has a population of 52 million, first commercialized 5G networks in April 2019 and has, so far, secured 5G coverage across its 85 cities.
The latest data mark an increase from 19.38 million 5G subscriptions in October as new smartphone launches, including Apple's new iPhone 13 series, boosted user growth.
The release of Samsung Electronics' new foldable phones ― the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 ― in late August also helped increase growth.
Samsung's new foldable smartphones have been widely popular here, with sales topping 1 million in just 39 days after their launch.
SK Telecom, the country's largest mobile carrier by subscriptions, had the most 5G users at 9.52 million, followed by KT at 6.16 million and LG Uplus at 4.46 million, the data showed.
The number of mobile users subscribed to 4G networks in South Korea fell to 48.55 million in November, accounting for 67 percent of mobile subscriptions. (Yonhap)