The South Korean government said its 6G plans also include developing technology for mid- and high-frequency bands.
South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT has announced a 440.4 billion won ($324.5 million) research and development plan for future 6G networks, local news agencies reported. Yonhap News Reported.
The ministry noted that the plan includes the development of technologies related to wireless communications, mobile core networks, 6G wired networks, 6G systems and 6G standardization.
The ministry also said it would work to standardize domestically developed 6G technology in line with international standardization requirements, which are expected to begin being formulated as early as next year, the report said.
South Korea’s 6G plans also include the development of mid- and high-band technologies covering the 7GHz to 24GHz frequency range to promote 5G network services.
The ministry also aims to showcase interim results of 6G network development in 2026 to play a leading role in setting international standards for next-generation network services, the report added.
The South Korean government announced in February that it plans to commercialize the first 6G network services in 2028, two years earlier than originally planned.
The government also unveiled the K-Network 2030 strategy, which aims to foster public-private cooperation to develop 6G technology, innovate next-generation software-based mobile networks, and strengthen the network supply chain.
The ministry had earlier launched a feasibility study on research and development of 6G core technologies at a total cost of 625.3 billion won in order to domestically produce materials, parts and equipment related to future 6G networks.
The ministry also said it decided to speed up the launch of 6G services as it believes industrial innovation cannot be achieved without being globally competitive in the 6G field.
South Korean telecommunications company SK Telecom recently released a 6G white paper that highlights the telco’s views on the key requirements for 6G standardization and the direction of future network evolution.
The standardization process for future 6G systems is still in its early stages. In June 2023, the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Working Party (WP) 5D published a framework recommendation for 6G networks, which are expected to be commercialized around 2030. Also, the first discussions on 6G candidate frequencies are expected to take place at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) at the end of this year. Meanwhile, WP 5D is scheduled to start working on technical performance requirements for 6G from 2024.
The South Korean telecommunications operator said the new white paper contains its views on 6G key requirements and 6G evolution methodologies, as well as its opinions on the latest trends in frequency standardization. The 6G white paper also provides analysis on promising 6G use cases, technology trends, candidate frequencies, development directions and methodologies.
SK Telecom emphasized that key requirements for 6G include “powerful” 6G products and services, simple architecture options, technologies that can expand coverage, and technologies that reduce heat and power consumption in devices to improve user experience.
