2023-05-31 07:43:10
[시사저널e=김용수 기자] Following KT and LG U+, the government confirmed the cancellation of SK Telecom’s 5G 28GHz band frequency allocation. However, the subway Wi-Fi service using 28GHz backhaul will continue to be built and operated. The government plans to announce a frequency allocation for the 28GHz band and select new operators.
On the 31st, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it had finalized the cancellation of the 5G 28GHz frequency allocation to SK Telecom. On the 12th, the Ministry of Science and ICT notified SK Telecom of the cancellation of the allocation due to the non-fulfillment of the frequency allocation conditions, and held a hearing on the 23rd to hear the opinions of the disposition target.
An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “At the hearing, SK Telecom said it felt heavy responsibility for not fulfilling the allocation conditions, but did not disclose a separate opinion on the disposition of prior notification.”
After the hearing, the presiding officer (Attorney Do-Young Song, Bit Law Firm) submitted an opinion saying, “SK Telecom did not request a change in disposition, and there is no change in circumstances that would mitigate the disposition, so it is reasonable to maintain the previously notified disposition.” Accepting this, the final notice of the disposition of the allocation cancellation was issued on the same day.
As a result, SK Telecom’s use of the 28GHz band will be discontinued as of this day. However, regarding subway Wi-Fi that uses 28GHz as a backhaul, SK Telecom announced its position that it would “continue to build and operate with a sense of responsibility as much as it has promised to the people.”
Accordingly, the Ministry of Science and ICT took into account the results of the hearing that recognized the need for exceptional measures for subway Wi-Fi, the public convenience, and the cases of LG U+ and KT, whose frequency allocation was canceled last year, for subway lines until November 30, the initial allocation period. decided to allow its use.
In addition, the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “SK Telecom has stated that it is willing to continue discussions with the government and other operators” regarding the plan to expand free subway Wi-Fi to routes outside of Seoul and to metropolitan and metropolitan cities following the end of November. decided to pursue
Regarding the decision of the Ministry of Science and ICT on this day, SK Telecom said, “We have been working hard to create an ecosystem for ultra-high frequency bands and discover business models, but the overall environment, such as business models, has not reached the level of commercialization. It is regrettable that the investment might not be continued,” he said. “Apart from the cancellation of the allocation, we conveyed to the government our intention to expand subway Wi-Fi service using 28GHz backhaul nationwide to expand customer convenience. We will continue to consult with the government and other business operators on the details necessary for this.”
The Ministry of Science and ICT is currently pushing for new operators to enter the 28GHz band, and plans to announce detailed plans through the announcement of the frequency band allocation in the future.
Choi Woo-hyuk, director of radio policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “It is regrettable that all three companies have finally canceled the allocation despite the government’s active efforts.” I will try to enjoy it,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the end of December last year, the government confirmed the cancellation of frequency allocation for the 5G 28GHz band of KT and LG Uplus as a sanction for not fulfilling the frequency allocation conditions. At that time, SK Telecom was given a conditional grace period of 5 months while shortening the period of using the band by 6 months, but the frequency allocation was canceled as the company failed to establish the original allocation condition of 15,000 countries by this day.
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