SEOUL – The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT has laid out an ambitious plan to invest 440.7 billion won (approximately US$324.5 million) in the research and development of sixth-generation (6G) network services.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the science ministry’s announcement on Wednesday, the extensive plan is set to encompass a range of technological advancements. These include the development of wireless communications, mobile core networks, 6G wired networks, 6G systems, and the standardization of 6G technology.
The goal of this investment is to integrate various services with 6G technology, ranging from urban air mobility to virtual reality. This will be achieved through the creation of an ultrahigh speed and large capacity optical transmission system, aimed at reducing latency in wired networks.
The ministry has outlined its intention to align the development of domestic 6G technologies with international standardization requirements, which are anticipated to begin formulation as early as next year. Additionally, the plan includes technological development in the upper-mid band frequency range of 7 to 24 GHz, with the aim of advancing current 5G network services.
In the realm of mobile core networks, the government’s focus will be on innovation in software-based next-generation mobile networks, a shift driven by the transition from hardware to cloud computing and software. The ministry has expressed its commitment to demonstrating the intermediate results of its 6G network development by 2026, positioning South Korea as a leader in setting international standards for next-generation network services.