KT to build 5G testing sites in 4 S. Korean locations

KT Corp will build 5G test facilities nationwide valued at 28.5 billion-won to support companies developing new services on the high-speed network.

The project is expected to be completed by 2023 and would provide access to research versions of the 5G network to test nascent services, such as connected vehicles, drones and smart factories.

The testing sites will be at four locations, including Pangyo and the central city of Daejeon.

KT targets to install 5G on the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) and 28 GHz bands by the end of this year.

South Korea is pushing for wider 5G deployment under its digital New Deal initiative.

Major local telecom operators vowed to spend up to 25.7 trillion won to establish a nationwide 5G network and update network infrastructure by 2022.