Subscribe
E-Paper
By Kim Hyun-bin
A year has passed since SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus became the world's first to "commercialize" their fifth-generation (5G) networks; and since then SKT has managed to exceed the 3 million subscriber mark. Despite the continuous increase in the 5G subscriber base backed by newly released 5G smartphones, complaints from consumers have continued to rise due to "bumpy" network connectivity.
According to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), among the 280 dispute settlement requests received since last June, 56 or 20 percent were related to the quality of 5G networks. Most cited frequent disconnects, limited coverage and a lack of call quality.
To enhance the quality of the 5G networks, telecommunication companies are increasing their number of base stations, which they claim will resolve the quality issue over time.
"We are drastically increasing our 5G base stations to enhance coverage, although this has been slowed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In a couple of more years the quality will be drastically better," a telecom official said.
So the question comes down to how much time the telecom companies will need and will there be a noticeable difference in quality?
The longer the wait, the more consumers will be burdened with expensive data plans that do not meet the standards advertised. Subscribers are paying 10,000 won to 20,000 won more a month compared to similar LTE data plans.
Many 5G subscribers claim they do not feel the difference in terms of speed when playing mobile games and video streaming compared to 4G, and have also experienced that 5G is worse in terms of internet service quality with its frequent disconnects.
The difference could be attributed to the type of smartphone used and some could be caused by technical difficulties, but considering 5G was commercialized in April last year with the telecom companies boasting of its smooth connectivity as a sales pitch, it is disappointing that it still has significant technical difficulties till this day affecting users nationwide.
It will take years for the 5G infrastructure to stabilize and the consumers will be the ones that will pay the price with expensive data plans that do not provide the quality service they thought they were buying.
According to the telecommunication companies 5G needs four to five more base stations than that of LTE to provide equal coverage. For smoother connectivity the only way is to drastically increase the number of stations throughout the country.
If this is the main reason, telecom companies will face this difficulty every time they introduce a "next generation network," and customers will once again fall victim, forcing prospective consumers to think twice before getting onboard with the next "innovative technology."
There is no disputing that 5G is an important technology for the country to lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and it has especially gained the spotlight during the "contactless" environment inflicted on the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The technology itself is highly thought of due to functions that could be integrated in diverse industries.
Although the technology has a bright future ahead, at the time being, telecom companies needs to increase their efforts to communicate with users and find means to swiftly resolve their dissatisfaction and inconvenience.
