SK Telecom to Stop Using 28 GHz Band for 5G: Report

SK Telecom, one of South Korea’s leading telecommunications carriers, is set to withdraw using the 28 Gigahertz (GHz) band for the 5G Network at the end of this month. This decision follows the footsteps of peer carriers KT and LG Uplus, leaving no carriers using the 28 GHz network for 5G, according to a report by Pulse News.

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SK Telecom Withdraws from 5G on 28 GHz Band

According to The Ministry of Science and ICT and industry sources, SK Telecom had ceased installing new equipment since April, effectively signalling its withdrawal from the project, quoted the report. As of November, SK Telecom had installed 1,605 units of 28 GHz equipment for the 5G network. However, with over 13,400 units still required to meet the mandatory installation target of 15,000 units by the end of this month, the carrier has made it clear that it will not fulfil the requirements.

Challenges of Utilizing 28 GHz for B2C Transactions

The report quoted SK Telecom saying, “It is practically impossible to utilize 28 GHz for business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions.” SK Telecom expressed its reluctance to proceed with further installations.

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All Three Major Carriers Abandon 28 GHz Band

With the withdrawal of SK Telecom, all three major carriers in South Korea will have abandoned the 28 GHz band network project. KT and LG Uplus had their 28 GHz band allocations revoked in December 2022. According to the report, an ICT ministry official warned that if SK Telecom fails to meet the mandatory installation requirements by the end of May, an allocation revocation process will be initiated after a series of hearings.