The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) is pushing to lead the global race in 6G commercialization by 2029, following its pioneering efforts with LTE and 5G. However, telecom operators, drawing from their 5G experiences, are advocating for a more measured approach, proposing a hotspot-focused strategy for 6G rollout.
According to The Elec, MSIT established the "6G Society" in July 2024, uniting over 30 experts from the mobile and satellite communications sectors. Their mission is to dominate 6G standards and expedite its market readiness.
MSIT aims to achieve 6G commercialization by 2029, leveraging South Korea's 2019 success in launching 5G ahead of the world. The government views 6G as a pivotal issue and is keen to accelerate the construction of a nationwide commercial network.
However, leading telecom operators SK Telecom (SKT), Korea Telecom (KT), and LG U+ are skeptical about replicating their nationwide network experience with 6G. South Korea's telecom market is already saturated, with more subscriptions than the population, making further revenue generation through traditional means challenging.
Industry experts suggest that while a segment of users might pay premium ARPU for 6G services, widespread upgrades akin to 3G, LTE, and 5G transitions are unlikely. The 5G rollout faced criticism and legal challenges due to issues with communication quality, coverage, and application areas, prompting a need for a new approach.
Telecom operators support the development of 6G but caution against immediate nationwide implementation. Instead, they recommend a strategic pivot. For instance, Verizon's initial 5G rollout in the US focused on hotspots before expanding coverage with low-band spectrum. A similar approach for 6G could drastically reduce initial investment costs and mitigate early service quality complaints.
A representative from the mobile communications industry emphasized that while 6G promises increased ARPU, quality issues akin to those seen with 5G could adversely impact businesses. Given South Korea's saturated telecom market, initial 6G commercialization should be carefully planned around public hotspots, ensuring a balance between innovation and market practicality.
