SK Telecom successfully makes first call using Samsung Electronics 5G equipment.
5G equipment will be installed on-site to conduct final technology verification.
Standard certification for data transmission using 5G and LTE simultaneously

SK Telecom's preparations for 5G commercialization are entering the final stages.
On the 15th, SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics successfully made a 'first call' using commercial 5G equipment at the 5G test bed in SK Telecom's Bundang office building.

The first call is the final step in verifying that data is transmitted and received normally in an environment identical to commercial services. Only when all necessary data communication processes pass without issue is a "first call record" recorded.

The first call process includes all matters necessary for commercial service, including ▲interconnection between base stations, exchanges, and terminals ▲'synchronization' to perform communication by matching the operating times between various devices ▲'authentication' to determine whether a 5G subscriber is accessing the network normally ▲5G-LTE network connection that complies with 5G NSA.

Meanwhile, various telecommunication companies, including SK Telecom, have successfully made 5G first calls using their own standard or test equipment. This success was achieved by carrying out the entire process using commercial 5G equipment that can be installed on site.

The frequency band utilized a 100MHz width in the 3.5GHz band, which is intended for actual commercial services. All technologies and equipment conform to 3GPP international standards.

Going forward, the two companies will deploy 5G equipment in actual locations and conduct final technology verification. This will be optimized to ensure optimal quality in a variety of settings, including indoors, outdoors, and on the move. Final testing of 5G equipment and technology will also be conducted, taking into account inclement weather, natural disasters, and unexpected situations.

“SK Telecom is several months ahead of global carriers in preparing for 5G commercialization, from the development and demonstration of 5G technology based on global standards, to the selection of equipment suppliers, and this first call,” said Park Jin-hyo, head of SK Telecom’s ICT Technology Research Center. “Based on our best technology, we will maximize quality before commercialization.”

Samsung Electronics Vice President Jeon Kyung-hoon said, “The success of the first call based on international standards using commercial equipment is a case that demonstrates the high technological prowess of both companies,” and added, “We will thoroughly prepare to launch a flawless 5G commercial service.”

SK Telecom is also exploring ways to utilize LTE in the era of 5G commercialization.

5G is not a technology that completely replaces LTE. In the early stages of 5G commercialization, 5G and LTE will be used in parallel. Accordingly, SK Telecom has established a frequency convergence standard that enhances 5G performance by transmitting data simultaneously using 5G and LTE frequencies.
SK Telecom was the first in Korea to receive approval for a frequency convergence standard that allows simultaneous data transmission using 5G and LTE frequencies at the 3GPP meeting held in Chengdu, China from the 8th to the 12th.

With 3GPP approval, SK Telecom can now apply its 'Dual Connectivity' technology, which allows it to exchange data simultaneously using its 5G frequencies (3.5GHz, 28GHz) and LTE frequencies (800MHz, 1.8GHz, 2.1GHz, 2.6GHz).

LTE utilizes a frequency-bundling technology called carrier aggregation to simultaneously transmit data across multiple frequency bands. However, to simultaneously utilize different communication technologies, such as 5G and LTE, to transmit data across multiple frequency bands requires "dual connectivity" technology.

SK Telecom proposed a convergence of 5G and LTE frequencies at the 3GPP meeting. At the same time, the results of the analysis on the frequency interference that may occur when transmitting data simultaneously with this combination and the appropriate frequency output and protection measures to minimize the interference were announced, and these were approved as a standard.

Applying "dual connectivity" technology to actual commercial networks in the future will allow customers to enjoy high-quality service in areas where both 5G and LTE are deployed. SK Telecom is the only domestic carrier to offer 1 Gbps LTE service, so customer experience is expected to be even better.

SK Telecom's Park Jong-kwan, head of network technology, said, "In the early stages of 5G commercialization, 5G and LTE will be used in parallel," and added, "With this frequency convergence standard approval as an opportunity, we will strengthen the 5G technology ecosystem with domestic and foreign manufacturers and equipment companies to provide the highest quality 5G services to customers."