KT, Ericsson moving forward with 5G trial network

South Korea’s KT is in the final stages of testing for the 5G trial network that will support next year’s Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

Technology partner Ericsson announced that the companies have recently agreed on the details of the planned deployment and optimization of a trial 5G network in the nation this year.

The 28-GHz trial network will include a virtualized radio access network and core system.

Ericsson and KT have also jointly been testing components of the planned trial network along the new high speed rail line linking Seoul with the Incheon International Airport. The tests included a handover between 5G base stations along the railway, and achieved a peak throughput of 4Gpbs.

The companies now plan to jointly develop beam forming and tracking technology for 5G and 5G-LTE interoperability technology to help operators optimize capacity and coverage.

“Stability and interoperability among multiple services, systems and device manufacturers needs to be verified well in in advance of the trial network. We are raising the bar through our collaboration with partners such as Ericsson who are leading 5G technology and standardization,” KT head of networks Seong-Mok Oh said.

Ericsson head of networks Fredrik Jejdling added that the companies have been working closely on 5G development since signing the 5G collaboration agreement in 2015.