Opening in Magok-dong, Seoul, where LG Group's R&D capabilities are concentrated
Expanding Open Innovation Areas with MOU with KDDI
Any company can use it by simply applying on the website.

Ahead of 5G commercialization, LG Uplus is strengthening its open innovation activities, including the opening of a 5G Innovation Lab.

LG Uplus announced on the 3rd that it has opened the '5G Innovation Lab' at its Magok office building as the first of its 5G open innovation activities, allowing domestic and foreign startups and small and medium-sized venture companies to freely propose, develop, and commercialize 5G service and technology ideas.

Along with the opening of the lab, LG Uplus also signed an MOU with KDDI, a Japanese mobile carrier preparing for 5G commercialization, to expand the base for open innovation activities between Korea and Japan.

Based on this partnership, LG Uplus plans to discover competitive 5G technologies and services, collaborate on open innovation programs and operations, and share and apply the latest global trends related to open innovation.

The 5G Innovation Lab is equipped with 5G networks, base station equipment, devices, and various service platforms. It provides an optimized environment for small and medium-sized ventures to easily develop, test, and commercialize their technologies, simply by coming up with an idea. Furthermore, the lab leverages the 5G network and service development staff at the Magok building to provide immediate problem-solving support.

LG Uplus FC Division Head Executive Vice President Lee Sang-min said, “The 5G Innovation Lab will play a key role in ensuring that 5G is not just a new growth engine for a select few large corporations, but rather a win-win for all businesses, large and small.” He added, “We will strengthen international cooperation with global companies and open innovation activities to revitalize the 5G ecosystem and, further, ensure that customers can enjoy greater benefits.”

At the opening ceremony that day, demonstrations of technologies and services from domestic small and medium-sized enterprises were also held.

Davio demonstrated AR indoor navigation and real-time map analysis service through deep learning, Pingram demonstrated technology that converts and transmits video captured by a camera into VR content in real time, and VentaVR demonstrated 3D VR shooting content.


Open Innovation, Expanding 5G Technology Development
LG Uplus has categorized core 5G technologies into 14 areas, including AR, VR, AI, and big data, and is pursuing open innovation in approximately 100 of these core technologies. It also plans to share its core 5G technologies and support the development of new technologies by small and medium-sized venture companies.

To this end, LG Uplus formed a 5G O/I team in the FC division early this year. The 5G O/I team will hold regular technology seminars and contests to discover and expand collaboration with new 5G technology companies and strengthen collaboration with relevant organizations and institutions. It also plans to launch a dedicated website where technology companies can freely submit proposals for technology and business collaboration.


Supporting 5G technology development for small and medium-sized enterprises and revitalizing the 5G ecosystem
As part of its open innovation initiatives, the newly launched "5G Innovation Lab" provides an optimized environment for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to test and commercialize diverse business ideas. Spanning approximately 230 square meters, the lab comprises a server room and network zone, an operations support office and project room, a platform zone, and a VR development zone.

The server room is equipped with 5G commercial base station equipment, enabling various tests in a 5G network environment.

In the network zone, a shield box can be used to conduct testing in an environment free from interference from external radio waves, and a 5G CPE (5G wireless router) can also be used to provide a testing environment utilizing devices other than smartphones. A MEC (mobile edge computing) environment has also been established, enabling testing of 5G data processing, security, and more.


A test environment capable of utilizing the 28GHz frequency will also be established in the first half of the year to support testing of optimized technologies applicable to the next-generation 5G network environment beyond the current 5G network utilizing the 3.5GHz frequency band, NSA standards, and MEC.

The Platform Zone allows users to test the interoperability standards for LG U+ services, including drones, CCTV, AR, VR, big data, and video transmission, as well as various pre-launch devices, including smartphones, HMDs, and AR glasses. Equipped with an 8K monitor and a PC-based VR development environment, service development is possible without the need for expensive equipment. Collaborating with Qualcomm, the platform will also support testing utilizing various Qualcomm platforms. The Project Room is a space for idea sharing and business discussions.

LG U+ also operates an open innovation program to support commercialization of small and medium-sized enterprises.

As part of this effort, we are also considering hosting a technology competition. Companies selected through the competition will jointly develop and commercialize the technology with LG U+. Additionally, selected companies will receive support from network and development personnel and business personnel residing at the Magok office building.

In addition, LG U+ provides opportunities for participation in professional technical seminars on 5G as well as training and consulting.

Applications for the 5G Innovation Lab can be submitted through the website (innovationlab.uplus.co.kr). Users can register for access and visits, and freely submit business ideas. Submitted ideas will be discussed and considered for collaboration. Projects selected for collaboration will receive a variety of support, including network, technology, and business consulting, through residency at the Innovation Lab.


Partnership with Japan's KDDI to establish a Korea-Japan cooperative system in the field of open innovation.
LG Uplus has established an international cooperation system in the field of open innovation by forming a partnership with Japanese mobile carrier KDDI.

Through this partnership, LG Uplus will work with KDDI to develop and implement efficient operational measures for its 5G Innovation Lab and Open Innovation Program. We will also cooperate on sharing information, including global trends in open innovation activities, and mutual benchmarking.

The two companies will also strengthen technological cooperation, including jointly exploring 5G technologies and services through joint open innovation activities between Korea and Japan.

KDDI has been operating an innovation lab called Digital Gate since September of last year, and has completed consulting services for approximately 110 companies in just six months. It is currently working on commercializing smart factoring products.

In addition to KDDI, LG Uplus plans to further expand its global partnership by pursuing additional open innovation partnerships with Finnish mobile carriers.

LG Uplus FC Strategy Director Choi Chang-guk answered questions about the 5G Innovation Lab at a press conference as follows:

Q. How many companies do you anticipate utilizing the 5G Innovation Lab? Also, the space is somewhat cramped. Are there any plans for future expansion?
Managing Director Choi Chang-guk: First, we anticipate that approximately 1,000 companies will be able to utilize the space. The currently open 5G Innovation Lab is intended for testing and proof-of-concept (PoC) testing, so we don't expect it to be fully occupied at all times. There's also a separate space in the back, currently under construction. We're also developing a separate project-focused space on the second floor. Actual projects will utilize the second floor.

Q. Can we expect to see the technologies discovered through 5G Open Innovation commercialized by both LG U+ and KDDI this year or next year?
Managing Director Choi Chang-guk: We believe there is a technology that can be commercialized. Our two companies have been collaborating for a long time. For example, in the process of commercializing drones, we are working with KDDI to discover and collaborate with various startups in Korea and Japan.

Q. You mentioned that one of the strengths of the 5G Innovation Lab is that it can draw on the support of LG Group's R&D staff. However, they likely have their own responsibilities, so how do you receive assistance?
Executive Director Choi Chang-guk. LG Science Park is where LG Group's R&D capabilities are concentrated. Each affiliate has a dedicated team dedicated to open innovation. If a startup with a specific technology approaches us and we determine that the technology has greater potential for application at another affiliate than LG Uplus, we plan to connect them with that company. Conversely, it is also possible to come to LG U+ from another affiliate.

Q. The 5G Innovation Lab is a completely open space. However, its equipment and personnel are limited. How does it operate?
Executive Director Choi Chang-guk: The 5G Innovation Lab initially accepts applications through its website. Even if you visit the lab on-site, our operations staff is always on-site. If you register through this platform, we'll provide immediate support where possible.

Q. You mentioned investing in startups. Are there any companies currently being discussed for investment? Beyond investment, I'm curious if you have any plans for management involvement or mergers and acquisitions.
Managing Director Choi Chang-guk: It's difficult to name the company directly. We're certainly considering several companies. If business needs warrant it, we could consider not only investments but also acquisitions. It is a matter to be decided as the business proceeds.

Q. You said LG U+ can commercialize the technologies of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. What are the selection criteria?
Managing Director Choi Chang-guk: When startups and SMEs come to us and present their technologies, we will internally assess their relevance based on our roadmap. Even if it's not part of our plans, if we believe the technology has novelty, we will work together to develop a business plan. Throughout this process, our internal business divisions, business departments, technology development departments, and planning departments will come together to assess the technology's significance and determine whether to commercialize it.