World's first handover test in an outdoor environment in Bundang in collaboration with Samsung Electronics
Demonstration of Full HD video call service and UHD streaming service

SK Telecom is proceeding with preparations for its 2017 5G pilot service without any setbacks.

SK Telecom announced on the 20th that it has completed performance verification of 28GHz-based 5G base station handover technology in an outdoor environment around its Bundang headquarters in cooperation with Samsung Electronics.

Handover is a core technology that forms the basis for providing continuous service by allowing a terminal to switch from receiving service at a specific base station to receiving service at a base station located elsewhere as the terminal moves.

The handover function of a 5G system is a core technology for providing continuous, high-quality 5G services while on the move, and verifying its performance in an actual outdoor environment by linking multiple 5G base stations and a carrier network is considered the world's first case.

The two companies successfully demonstrated Full HD video call services and UHD streaming services by moving a vehicle equipped with a 5G terminal between 5G test base stations installed around their Bundang office building, demonstrating stable gigabit (Gbps) communication speeds and confirming the potential of 'high capacity, low latency' 5G services.

In particular, it is assessed that both companies have passed the first hurdle to introduce future 5G pilot and commercial services by securing core operational technologies for 5G systems through this test.

Prior to this, SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics built a millimeter-wave 5G system in late August last year....and in late March of this year, performance verification of service coverage, transmission speed, etc. in a single base station environment was conducted.

Meanwhile, SK Telecom unveiled a 'white paper' outlining the future evolution of its next-generation mobile network at events such as the SK Telecom-Verizon Workshop last August, and based on this, proposed sharing its vision and joint cooperation with companies in the mobile telecommunications ecosystem, including equipment manufacturers and global carriers.

The 'ATSCALE White Paper' released this time shares the lessons learned by SK Telecom through its experience in developing and commercializing various world-first technologies, and based on this, contains the structural evolution, innovation directions, and methodologies that future mobile communication networks, including 5G, should pursue.

Furthermore, SK Telecom plans to lead the global future telecommunications market by sharing its future vision and R&D direction with global mobile operators, equipment manufacturers, and the ICT community, and by continuously expanding collaboration, particularly with small and medium-sized equipment manufacturers.

Park Jin-hyo, Head of Network Technology at SK Telecom, stated, “Through this outdoor 5G system handover test, SK Telecom has secured a foothold for 5G pilot and commercial services,” adding, “To this end, we will strive to build a new ecosystem through borderless cooperation with various business partners and achieve sustainable growth together.”

"This 28GHz 5G handover demonstration is the closest to an actual mobile communication service environment among all 5G technology demonstrations to date," said Jeon Kyung-hoon, Vice President and Head of the Next Generation Business Team at Samsung Electronics' IM Division. "We will do our best to ensure that consumers can experience the leading technological achievements Samsung Electronics has accumulated in the 5G field as soon as possible."