Wired communication equipment to be introduced to commercial networks starting in July
Up to 1Gbps internet with 2 pairs of 'UTP cables' made by twisting two copper wires together

LG Uplus (Vice Chairman Kwon Young-soo / www.uplus.co.kr) will introduce telecommunications equipment starting this July that provides an ultra-high-speed internet speed of 1Gbps using two pairs of 'UTP cables (Unshielded Twisted Pair cables*),' which are wires for building small-scale networks made by twisting two strands of copper wire.

A wire wrapped in plastic to prevent the flow of electricity, mainly used in standard telephone lines or LANs (Local Area Networks).

By leaving the copper wires (UTP cables) installed in old apartments or buildings as they are and installing only this equipment in the building's communication room, internet speeds can be increased up to 1Gbps. This means that customers will be able to enjoy internet services such as large file transfers and high-definition video streaming at faster speeds without having to expand the entire high-speed internet network or replace it with fiber optic cables.

UTP cables, which are used as lines to supply high-speed internet or landlines to apartment buildings, can achieve speeds of 500 Mbps with 2 pairs and 1 Gbps with 4 pairs. LG Uplus, in collaboration with Ubiquos, a domestic network equipment developer, has developed a '2P1G (2Pair 1Gbps) Extender' capable of providing 1 Gbps speed with 2 pairs of UTP cables. After completing pilot operations last month, the company plans to apply it to its nationwide commercial network starting next month.

Until now, older apartments or buildings with low high-speed information and communication certification grades lacking communication facilities to accommodate internet services could only install 2 pairs of UTP cables.In many cases, it was impossible to use 1Gbps internet service, but with the introduction of the 2P1G Extender by LG Uplus, households living in older apartments with a shortage of UTP cables can now use 1Gbps fiber-optic gigabit service.

LG Uplus plans to prioritize the application of this equipment to older apartments among its high-speed internet subscriber households where 1Gbps internet service cannot be provided.

An official from LG Uplus stated, “In the vertical wiring sections of older apartments, UTP cables from the three wired carriers are already laid to a saturation point, and additional installation is impossible, making it difficult to provide gigabit-level services,” adding, “We will continue to invest in networks so that the benefits of high-quality ultra-high-speed internet services can be provided to customers living in areas with insufficient communication infrastructure.”