Samsung Electronics Co and mobile network operator in South Korea SK Telecom Co Ltd have forged a new partnership to demonstrate the communication between 4G and 5G networks for the first time. According to SK Telecom, the trial went off "without disruptions", suggesting that the communications industry is now ready to deliver the ultrafast mobile network.
SK Telecom has been expected to pioneer the 5G network technologies by 2019 with its flamboyant efforts cutting across the globe. In its latest test in collaboration with Samsung, the major mobile carrier successfully conducted the linking of 4G and 5G networks.
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Short for fifth generation, 5G is bound to be the fastest mobile network, believed to be 20 times faster than 4G and LTE. Thanks to its low latency rate, 5G networks will enable users to transmit big data, which is a necessity in emerging industries such as autonomous cars, augmented reality and the Internet of Things.
Samsung and SK Telecom's trial is aimed at testing the clear communications services between the two networks even when there is no nationwide 5G infrastructure.
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"Along with the 5G network's 3.5 GHz frequency band that provides a wider coverage, and the 28 GHz frequency band that enables ultrahigh-speed transmission, the connection with the 4G network will help users enjoy the best communications services anywhere without disruptions," says SK Telecom in a statement.
South Korea is expected to be the first to commercialise 5G networks use to be followed by Japan, the US and possibly China.
