Korean carriers launch 5G network early, undercutting Verizon attempt to claim ‘world’s first’ crown
SK Telecom’s first 5G subscribers pose for a photo with Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S10 5Gs in hand after the carrier’s 5G service introduction event held Wednesday in Seoul. From left, Baekhyun from boy band Exo, figure skater Kim Yuna, two honorary subscribers selected by the carrier, professional gamer Faker and Kai from Exo. [SK TELECOM]
All three mobile carriers launched their networks at 11 p.m. Wednesday with support from Samsung Electronics and the Ministry of Science and ICT as well.
The major trigger for the late-night ambush launch was a tip-off from the U.S. Wednesday that Verizon might launch its first 5G service for mobile phones today, a week earlier than its publicly announced launch date of April 11.
That tip-off proved to be true. Verizon announced today in a release that it "officially turned on its 5G Ultra Wideband Network in select areas of Minneapolis and Chicago a week ahead of schedule" claiming it has launched the "first commercial 5G network in the world." Verizon's 5G network for phones was launched along with Motorola's 5G Moto Mod, an add on that enables Moto Z3 smartphone to connect with 5G.
In a desperate effort to claim the "world's first" title, the government and Korean companies launched their 5G networks just a few hours earlier. As all three carriers had their first customers already picked out and unveiled their phone plans through launch events earlier this week, the late-night launch plan was considered a feasible option.
SK Telecom's first customers are Korea's top figure skater Kim Yuna, League of Legends professional gamer Faker, Korean boy group Exo as well as two honorary subscribers of the carrier. While SK Telecom gave them Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S10 5G, the world's first 5G phone, as a gift during a briefing Wednesday, their phones now work with 5G.
KT's first 5G subscriber is the wife of one of its employees. The first 5G customer for LG U+ is local YouTube creator Kim Min-young.
Other customers will be able to get their hands on their first 5G phones starting Friday, as originally scheduled.
Some industry insiders criticized the Science Ministry for rushing into launching the monumental service and confusing customers with a sudden change in launch date.
Korea, however, still managed to keep its world's first title for commercializing 5G wireless for phones thanks to the late-night action.
BY KIM JEE-HEE, KIM KYUNG-JIN [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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