LG Electronics (CEO Joo-wan Cho) is launching a full-scale 5G specialized network business, which is considered an essential element of future industries.

LG Electronics announced on the 25th that its self-developed 5G specialized network solution recently received ‘domestic network equipment certification’ from the Korea Network Industry Association as the first in the 5G specialized network industry.

'Domestic Network Equipment Certification' is a certification granted after examining whether development and production are done domestically, and can be used as proof when supplying products to public institutions. With this certification, LG Electronics has been recognized for internalizing core technologies related to 5G specialized networks.

5G specialized networks are customized 5G networks provided to specific spaces such as factories and buildings. With fast data transmission speeds and excellent stability, they are considered essential infrastructure for industrial innovations such as △digital and AI transformation (DX/AX) and △smart factory operations.

The LG Electronics 5G specialized network solution certified this time is a technology that implements network functions handled by existing 5G communication equipment, such as base station equipment (RAN) and 5G core (5G CORE), through software. Operating costs are reduced as data processing speed and stability can be improved through software upgrades without replacing hardware.

In addition, based on LG Electronics’ outstanding software capabilities, it provides customized 5G specialized network experiences optimized for various customer needs and installation environments. For example, for customers who value security, a dedicated network that blocks external access can be built, and for customers who collaborate a lot with other companies, a network that can be connected to an external cloud can be built.

In particular, in addition to network construction, it also provides device control solutions to connect LG Electronics products such as robots/signage as well as CCTV/smart safety equipment owned by customers to a 5G specialized network for integrated management.

Based on this domestic certification, LG Electronics plans to actively participate in 5G specialized network projects for public institutions as well as companies that want to build smart factories.

LG Electronics has been highly evaluating the potential of the 5G specialized network business and has been committed to technology development. The number of communication patents currently held, including 5G, is approximately 30,000, the highest among global companies. Last year, it completed preparations for commercialization by adding ‘basic communication business’ to its business objectives.

We also have abundant on-site operational know-how. The 5G specialized network has been tested and verified at various reference sites at home and abroad, including LG Electronics' Tennessee plant, a smart factory in Chungcheongbuk-do, a logistics center in Incheon, and a university hospital in Seoul.

Meanwhile, according to market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global 5G specialized network market size is expected to grow by more than 40% annually from approximately USD 2 billion in 2023 to approximately USD 11.8 billion in 2028.

“Based on LG Electronics’ outstanding 5G technology and operational know-how accumulated in various spaces such as factories, logistics centers, and hospitals, we will provide customized 5G specialized network solutions to customers who want to build fast and stable networks,” said Lee Jun-seong, head of Private Network Business Development at LG Electronics (Senior Managing Director).