5G system on the way as SK Telecom completes field trial

SK Telecom, South Korea's largest mobile carrier, and Samsung successfully tested a 5G system using 28 GHz millimeter wave technologies last Thursday, bringing the country a step closer to launching super-fast data for a host of new tech, such as VR, holograms, IoT, and driverless cars.

The two companies tested the system's millimeter wave transmitter, receiver, and antenna technologies designed to effectively transmit radio signals in the 28GHz band, as well as 3D beam forming tech.

3D beam forming is the key technology that compensates radio propagation path loss in the higher frequency bands caused by the short wavelengths of millimeter waves and high atmospheric attenuation. It is regarded as a crucial test for 5G to actually work.

South Korea was first to roll out LTE, or 4G, telephony for mobile communications. And it is widely acknowledged as a matter of pride that the country will be the first in 5G as well, aiming for February 2018 when it hosts the Pyeonchang Winter Olympics to show off its IC

"SK Telecom is set to maintain its leadership in the 5G era by leading the development of 5G technologies and services," said Park Jin-hyo, senior vice president and head of SK Telecom's network tech.



source:zdnet