The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) will revise the guideline for network neutrality so that a 5G special lane called “network slicing” that is used for special purposes such as autonomous vehicle and smart factory is allowed.
Network slicing is a 5G technology that separates a physical “core network” into independent virtual networks and provides customized services.
It is reported that a “second network neutrality research team” that the MSIT has been operating along with representatives from mobile phone service providers and CPs (Content Provider) and experts has come up with such conclusion.
The key point is introducing a concept “special service” to the guideline on network neutrality and allowing logical data traffic management. At the same time, the research team has stipulated a safety mechanism so that there will not be any negative effect to internet service for general users.
Special service is defined as a service that is used for special purposes, guarantees transmission quality through separate traffic management technology, and provides connection limited to a particular space.
It realizes virtual technologies such as network slicing or MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) for particular space or optimal quality according to purpose of a service by adding special equipment.. Services that provide general connection between users are not defined as special service.
Special networks that are built for autonomous vehicles and smart factories and services such as IPTV and internet phone that are already commercialized and require guarantee of stable quality are defined as special service.

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Revised guideline will allow telecommunications companies to focus on ultra-low latency for services for autonomous vehicles and operate virtual networks that are specialized for sending massive data such as images with superhigh quality.
The research team has prepared a safety mechanism that prevents any negative effect on general users and guarantees “transparency” while allowing special services to the guideline on network neutrality.
It clearly states a basic principle that forbids telecommunications companies from affecting internet service speed and quality while in a process of providing a special service.
The MSIT is allowing current state of a special service to be evaluated through different means such as evaluation of communication quality. The newly revised guideline will allow the MSIT to request materials related to data traffic from telecommunications companies if users or CPs experience inconvenience through special service.
With the newly revised guideline, telecommunications companies will be able to freely launch services specialized for industries based on 5G convergence without having to worry about violating South Korean criteria on internet.
Allowing special services also satisfies a global trend. The United States abolished its network neutrality principle in 2018. While the European Union is legally regulating network neutrality principle through “open internet regulation”, it is supporting vitalization of 5G services through “special services” just like South Korea.
Based on the conclusion made by the research team, the MSIT plans to complete revising the guideline on network neutrality by the end of this year. Prior to the conclusion made by the research team, the MSIT sent policy advisory questionnaire to experts and people involved in the process.
One expert in telecommunications said that allowing special services is meaningful from a standpoint that it eliminates any regulatory uncertainty and freely allows development of innovative 5G services according to a global trend.
Staff Reporter Park, Jisung | jisung@etnews.com