Domain for frequency in South Korea is going to be expanded by 10 times. As South Korea is set to face 5G generation, Ministry of Science, ICP and Future Planning (MSIP) is planning to supply frequency with more than 5GHz range, which is 10 times more than what is provided now, until 2026. It is going to introduce many innovative technologies that will increase efficiency of frequency and freedom of corresponding markets such as transfer and lease of frequencies will be expanded.
MSIP is going to introduce ‘K-ICT Spectrum Plan’ that has such information as its main point in next month.
K-ICT Spectrum Plan has plans for frequency between 2017 and 2026. Between these 10 years, MSIP will push for projects such as rearrangement of current mobile telecommunication frequency, development of new frequency, distribution of frequency for 5G, improvement of efficiency, and expansion of freedom in markets. It will also increase system by including LTE and 5G as well as public range and non-licensed range.

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Domain for New Frequency to Be Opened
MSIP is planning to supply frequency for 5G at a range over 5GHz after 2019. Currently 410MHz range is divided as frequencies for 2G, 3G, and 4G and frequency that is 10 times larger will be newly provided for 5G. Mobile network providers will provide 5G service that is over 1Gbps after being allocated with frequency with 1GHz range.
Currently 11 bandwidths such as 28GHz, 40GHz, and 70GHz are considered as candidates for 5G standards in 2019. MSIP is also going to select candidates in advance and response immediately according to international standards.
Frequency for current LTE will increase as well. MSIP has newly acquired LTE frequency with over 300MHz range and is planning to distribute it sequentially. 40MHz range from 2.0GHz bandwidth and 300MHz range from 3.5GHz bandwidth will be developed. Collection and relocation of current frequencies for 2G and 3G are expected to take place earlier than expected.
Application of Innovative Technologies
Innovative technologies that will maximize efficiency of use of frequency will be reflected from K-ICT Spectrum Plan. Single bandwidth (Supplemental Down Link (SDL)) for downloads will be introduced. SDL is a standard for frequency that attaches bandwidth for download to current frequency without bandwidth for upload that pairs up with bandwidth for download. Considering the fact that proportion of download and upload data traffic is 9 to 1, mobile network providers are allocated after selecting bandwidth that is necessary. MSIP is planning to supply most of newly-developed frequency through LTE-TDD method.
Expansion of Freedom in Markets
Freedom in markets will be expanded according to liberalization of uses of frequency. MSIP is not going to assign purposes for new frequencies and is planning to distribute them as mobile network purposes. Mobile network providers will receive frequencies and freely use them according to development of technologies and also can lease or transfer them when they are necessary. Standards for new allocation for large frequencies with range that are over 1GHz will also be prepared.
MSIP is going to collect final opinions after holding ‘ICT meeting for medium and long-term policies for frequencies’ on the 28th. “Because it is not finalized yet, we cannot confirm anything.” said a representative for MSIP.
Staff Reporter Park, Jisung | jisung@etnews.com