South Korea targets 5G global supremacy

Smartphone users in the western world might still be getting used to the rapid connections offered by 4G mobile networks, but South Korea first rolled out the technology in 2006. Now, the country’s government, telecoms networks and technology groups are racing to take the lead in developing a new 5G standard that they claim will be 1,000 times faster than the best connections available.

Seoul hopes to cement the country’s leading position in internet speed and hardware exports, while accelerating global progress towards telecoms standards that could enable dramatic advances in communications technology. There is strong competition: three Beijing ministries have joined forces to drive Chinese efforts in this field, while the European Union established a 5G Infrastructure Partnership with private-sector groups including Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia.