Samsung and KT launch 5G SA commercial network in Korea

2021: 5G SA Commercial Network Launch

Samsung Electronics on July 15, 2021 announced the launch in Korea of the first commercial 5G network with autonomous architecture (SA) together with KT Corporation (KT). This initiative was a continuation of the partnership of companies, in the framework of which in 2020 the first common core of the 5G SA and NSA network (with an independent architecture) was deployed in Korea on the basis of a commercial operator network.

Autonomous (SA) 5G networks, unlike non-autonomous (NSA) networks, do not rely on the existing LTE infrastructure. As part of an autonomous architecture, base stations connect directly to the core of the latest generation network (NGCore). 5G SA has lower end-to-end latency than NSA.

From that moment, Samsung and KT were actively preparing to launch the 5G SA network: the companies conducted many tests and tests in KT offices and in various areas of megacities. The launch of the first commercial 5G SA network will accelerate the implementation of KT's strategy to unlock the full potential of fifth-generation networks for ordinary users.

Deploying 5G networks with a standalone architecture opens up opportunities for service providers to accelerate service launch and offer different use cases and additional opportunities for consumers and businesses.

For this commercial launch, Samsung provided KT with its comprehensive 5G network solutions from radio access network (RAN) equipment to the core of the network (Core). KT has made a smooth transition to the 5G SA architecture by using Samsung hardware that can simultaneously support 5G in the SA and NSA configuration. For more information on 5G SA networks, refer to 5G Standalone Architecture.

Samsung was the first company to start delivering integrated 5G solutions, including chipsets, radio modules and network core solutions. Thanks to its ongoing research and development, Samsung promotes the development of 5G networks and offers the market's largest portfolio of products - from fully virtualized solutions for radio access networks and the network core to solutions for private networks and automation tools based on artificial intelligence.