South Korea Launches 5G, But Only for Enterprise Users Initially

South Korea has become the first nation in Asia to launch commercial 5G networks after three carriers, KT, LG UPlus, and SK Telecom, switched on services at midnight on December 1, 2018. It seems that the 5G services are currently only available for enterprise users, with consumer mobile services not expected to be launched until March 2019. The move by the three Korean carriers closely follows Verizon’s recent fixed 5G wireless launch in the U.S., while AT&T is expected to launch something soon. SK Telecom, which officially announced its 5G launch with a press release, appears to have the most extensive commercial deployment in South Korea to date with services now available in 13 cities and counties throughout South Korea. The carrier, which has previously unveiled 5GX as its 5G brand, said the first call over the commercial 5G network was made by its CEO, Park Jung Ho, between Bundang in Gyeonggi Province and Myeondong in Seoul using a Samsung 5G smartphone prototype.