Rural 5G network roaming is now possible between the three major mobile carriers.
Roaming Task Force plans to finalize its plan within six months.


The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 1st that it launched the Rural 5G Roaming Task Force (Roaming T/F) and held its first meeting remotely.

If roaming between the three mobile carriers becomes possible in rural areas with low populations, each carrier will be able to provide 5G services to its users through third-party networks without having to build its own networks.

This is the first time that roaming has been implemented between domestic telecommunications companies since several times during the 2G era.

The Roaming T/F is comprised of the three mobile carriers (SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus), the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA), the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA), and the Ministry of Science and ICT.

In the future, we plan to discuss ▲technical methods of roaming ▲target areas ▲roaming periods ▲cost settlement methods among the three mobile carriers, and we plan to come up with a final plan within six months.

Additionally, the Roaming T/F reviewed internet traffic trends in response to the resurgence of COVID-19 at the meeting held that day. Telecom operators said internet traffic in August was at a similar level to March, when the COVID-19 pandemic was prevalent.

However, he added that Internet traffic still remains at 40% to 50% of the capacity held by operators, as Internet facility capacity has been increased by about 13%.