SKT unveils Wi-Fi tech with 5G speeds

SK Telecom has unveiled a self-developed Wi-Fi technology capable of delivering speeds of up to 4.8Gbps.

The Wi-Fi technology and access point  is based on the new IEEE 802.11ax standard. It can deliver speeds nearly four times faster than the 1.3Gbps achievable with 802.11ac gigabit Wi-Fi

The technology uses four antennas to transmit data over 160 MHz of bandwidth – twice that of 802.11ac, operating in both the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz frequency bands.

In addition, the Wi-Fi technology supports orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFMDA), multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) and dynamic sensitivity control (DSC) technology to improve the efficiency of the network.

SK Telecom plans to start deploying access points for the next generation Wi-Fi next year, concentrating on high traffic density areas. Handsets with chipsets compatible with 802.11ax will be able to benefit from the technology.

The operator has constructed a Wi-Fi testbed within its R&D center in Bundang to test performance of the technology in various deployment scenarios, and is working on upgrading access points to be commercially deployable by the end of 2017.

SK Telecom SVP and head of network R&D Park Jin-hyo said the next-generation Wi-Fi technology is expected to be an important complement to 5G networks.

“By introducing the technology for the next generation Wi-Fi that can deliver as fast as 5G technology, we at SK Telecom have successfully laid foundation to offer better mobile services,” he said.

“We are thrilled to work on the preparation on commercializing the technology and continue to innovate our capabilities to provide differentiated services to our customers.”