What Can You Do With 5G? South Korea Offers a Glimpse: The technology is more widely available and faster than anywhere else

"In South Korea, long renowned for its ultrafast internet speeds, consumers and businesses alike are diving into a 5G-enabled future.

In a country where 5G networks are more widely available and speedier than anywhere in the world, a host of 5G-linked technologies -- including self-driving cars and digital factories -- have already arrived, while new metaverse platforms are quickly gaining ground among a tech-savvy population.

In Sangam-dong, a neighborhood in northwestern Seoul, a small number of autonomous cars shuttling passengers to select locations have begun commercial operations. Customers can use a mobile app to fetch the self-driving vehicles along a set route. Each ride costs 2,000 won ($1.63), though the first ride is free. For now, there are four vehicles in operation. More cars are planned for later this year, along with some autonomous buses.

The self-driving cars, developed by Seoul-based autonomous-driving startups 42dot and SWM, have a "safety driver" on board who mans the wheel when the cars pull over to pick up and drop off passengers, and in designated children's safety zones, where cars must be hand-steered by law. The safety driver also can take over in case of emergencies, like a passenger getting sick and needing to get to a hospital. Passengers sit in the back seat.

The self-driving cars currently operate like a shuttle service, traveling on two preset routes, 5.3 kilometers and 4 kilometers long (3.3 miles and 2.5 miles). For now, the vehicles go to only designated stops on the route, but the eventual goal is for them to operate like a cab, able to pick up riders at any desired location, according to the city government.

The city government plans to roll out 5G-supported autonomous buses next month and said it is working with Hyundai Motor Co. to introduce an autonomous "robo taxi" service in Seoul this year. Kakao Mobility, the transportation business unit of local technology company Kakao Corp., is testing an independent service in the city of Pangyo in which riders can fetch autonomous cars to a location of their choice.

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is collaborating with Samsung Electronics Co.'s network business and the nation's three telecom providers to deploy a 5G Wi-Fi network in Seoul's subways for riders. It's the first large-scale attempt globally to deploy 5G on high-speed mass-transit vehicles and is expected to provide subway passengers network speeds that are roughly 10 times faster than the current average, Samsung says. The 5G Wi-Fi network is expected to become operational across Seoul's subway lines by the end of this year, the ICT ministry says.

5G also has made significant progress in the business sector as a technology helping to digitize and upgrade various industries. Enterprise 5G networks, which prioritize low-latency connections, are helping companies and institutions make the technological leap in everything from smarter factories to remote surgeries at hospitals.

For example, South Korean telecom provider KT Corp. has deployed private 5G networks at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. to support autonomous robots sent to dangerous construction sites. The telecom provider also has worked with Seoul-based Severance Hospital to install a 5G system and 360-degree cameras inside ambulances to enable live communication and patient data exchanges between hospital staff and first responders. KT's rivals are pursuing similar projects, further incorporating 5G into the local corporate landscape.

Looking ahead, 5G networks are expected to play a key supporting role in ushering the world into another up-and-coming tech space -- the metaverse.

In 5G-ready South Korea, a lot is already happening in the metaverse space, which largely targets young users. SK Telecom Co.'s "Ifland" as well as internet giant Naver Corp.'s metaverse platform Zepeto have hosted everything from K-pop fan meetings and big brands' gadget launches to film viewings and university commencement ceremonies." [1]

1. 5G Technology (A Special Report) --- What Can You Do With 5G? South Korea Offers a Glimpse: The technology is more widely available and faster than anywhere else
Sohn, Jiyoung.
Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]. 14 Mar 2022: R.6.