Reducing dependence on overseas equipment manufacturers' standards and leading the way in revitalizing the domestic small and medium-sized 5G ecosystem.

KT announced on the 27th that it will participate as a board member in the founding general meeting of the 'O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) Alliance' held at the Kerry Hotel in Shanghai, China, and promote 'open 5G standards.'

The ORAN Alliance, founded that day, is a group of global telecommunications companies organized to standardize open 5G networks. Twelve major carriers, including KT, AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, NTT Docomo, and Orange, are participating. Global 5G equipment manufacturers are also expected to join in the future.

An 'open 5G network' is one that, unlike existing closed wireless networks that use dedicated base station equipment, allows for interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers through open interfaces, providing an environment in which even small and medium-sized enterprises can easily develop network equipment. Another goal is to virtualize base station functions into software, making it easier to integrate cutting-edge IT technologies such as AI and blockchain into 5G networks.

In the future, KT plans to participate in the seven task forces of O-RAN based on the technological prowess and know-how acquired through the success of the 5G pilot service, and lead the establishment of ▲5G open virtualized base station structure, ▲AI-based 5G network operation, and ▲open interface standard specifications between 5G equipment.

Furthermore, based on these O-RAN activities, KT plans to expand win-win cooperation with domestic ventures and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote the development of differentiated 5G wireless equipment that is interoperable with global 5G equipment.

Meanwhile, KT has been leading global discussions on 5G over the past three years, including the development of the "PyeongChang 5G Specification," 5G standardization at the ITU and GSMA, and the world's first 5G pilot service in PyeongChang. In particular, KT has contributed significantly to the completion of the 5G standard by securing numerous standard adoptions in areas such as 5G open network architecture and 5G base station interface standardization.

“Global cooperation for open 5G networks is becoming increasingly crucial for the commercialization of 5G, which is approaching early next year,” said Jeon Hong-beom, executive director of KT Convergence Technology Institute’s Infrastructure Research Center. “KT will continue to strengthen its foundation for win-win cooperation with domestic small and medium-sized enterprises through global alliance activities and secure the competitiveness of the No. 1 5G network.”