| Data processing at adjacent edge communication centers
| Latency reduced by 44% compared to existing LTE in Jeju.
| Implementing edge computing with CUPS architecture equipment, etc.

KT announced on the 6th that it has completed the construction of 5G Edge Communication Centers in eight major cities across the country for the first time to provide ultra-low latency 5G services.
In 5G communication, it becomes possible to transmit data in a short time of 1 ms over the wireless section between the terminal and the base station. To fully utilize the ultra-low latency characteristics of 5G, mobile edge computing (MEC) technology is essential, as it processes data generated from user terminals as close to the user as possible.

KT has completed the construction of 5G edge communication centers that apply mobile edge computing technology in eight major cities across the country, including Jeju Island.

In the existing wireless data processing method, all data traffic from users across the country was transmitted to the central communications center in the metropolitan area for data processing, so delays were inevitable.

To minimize this delay, KT installed data processing devices in its 5G edge communication centers, enabling data traffic generated from users' terminals to be processed at nearby edge communication centers.
Delays in data processing are reduced because data traffic from users in the region can be processed locally without being transmitted to the metropolitan communications center. In fact, if you use KT 5G in Jeju Island, you can experience internet access service that is up to 44% faster than existing LTE through the edge communication center built in Jeju.

Last year, KT built an edge communications center by applying 5G core equipment with the CUPS (Control & User Plane Separation) structure, which it developed for the first time in Korea, and network virtualization technology.

CUPS technology is a technology that allows devices responsible for signal processing and user traffic processing to be built and expanded independently, separating them, and plays a key role in implementing 5G mobile edge computing technology, where independent large-scale data processing is important.

KT plans to leverage its 5G edge communications center to provide services requiring high-definition video transmission without delay, such as real-time broadcasting, e-sports broadcasting, and online gaming. The center will also be actively utilized for autonomous driving, smart factories, augmented reality, and virtual reality, which are expected to emerge as core 5G services.

“KT is making continuous efforts to provide customers with the highest quality 5G network,” said Lee Kwang-wook, managing director of KT’s network division and core network construction. “We will lead the 5G era by utilizing the edge communication center, which is where KT’s wired and wireless capabilities are concentrated, as the basic infrastructure for 5G.”