LG Uplus said it will introduce technology that allows for dual connectivity of the 5G and its previous 4G Long Term Evolutions. Called “5G NR dual connectivity” of “5G EN-DC,” the technology can increase average speed of 5G network by up to 200 megabits per second.

The first to pledge better service was SK Telecom, whose chief Park Jung-ho said in an emergency executive meeting on April 10 that while the company fell short of meeting consumer expectations, it will launch all-out efforts to improve 5G services.

A week later, KT followed suit as its chief Hwang Chang-gyu accepted criticism during a meeting with lawmakers. Stressing that the country’s 5G network services were at an early stage, Hwang pledged to improve the quality as soon as possible.

“We are well aware of the consumers’ criticisms,” Hwang said, responding to the lawmakers’ accusation that mobile carriers failed to deliver quality service by sticking to the title of the “world’s first” county to offer 5G commercial service. “We are in emergency mode to solve the problem.”

Consumers here have complained of difficulties in accessing the 5G network even in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area. Some 5G smartphone users have reported malfunctions in the transition between 5G and 4G, or Long Term Evolution.

The country’s smartphone makers also suffered from glitches in the defective networks. While Samsung Electronics has released a series of software updates for the Galaxy S10 5G, LG Electronics has announced it will delay the launch of its first 5G-powered smartphone, the V50 ThinQ.

In order to address consumer complaints, the government said Saturday it would hold a weekly meeting with mobile carriers and phone manufacturers. The first meeting is to take place Tuesday to discuss how to resolve network glitches and achieve nationwide coverage.

“The government is taking seriously the consumers’ complaints during the early stage of 5G commercial services. Along with mobile carriers and phone manufacturers, we will solve the problem,” said Jang Suk-young, who coordinates the government-led trilateral meeting.

South Korea has pledged to establish a full-fledged nationwide 5G network within three years. Earlier this month, President Moon Jae-in said the country will spend more than 30 trillion won ($26.4 billion) creating a 5G-friendly business environment by 2022. 

According to Rep. Byun Jae-il of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, as of April 3 nearly 90 percent of Korea’s 5G base stations were located in Seoul, the surrounding area and five metropolitan cities.

(jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)