Korean carrier SK Telecom is hoping to push the limits of LTE speed by combining multiple frequencies in one network. At the beginning of July, it launched the first commercial Multi Carrier (MC) network, which combines frequencies from the 800MHz and 1.8GHz bands and distributes traffic between them as necessary, keeping service stable even during high use times. Currently, service is only available in Seoul’s Gangnam district; the rest of the city and areas in six other metropolitan centers should see it by the end of the year, with more expansions to follow. A pilot program has been running since May.
Korea’s SK Telecom launches multi-frequency network for more stable LTE
Korean carrier SK Telecom has launched an LTE network that uses multiple frequency bands, allowing for traffic to be allocated in a way that makes it faster and more stable. It is currently available in Seoul’s Gangnam district, with more areas coming this year.
Korean carrier SK Telecom has launched an LTE network that uses multiple frequency bands, allowing for traffic to be allocated in a way that makes it faster and more stable. It is currently available in Seoul’s Gangnam district, with more areas coming this year.
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
We first heard about this project in January; although SK Telecom didn't give network speeds in its latest announcement, it previously said users would see 60Mbps download speeds this year and 100Mbps by 2013. Phones that can support the system, meanwhile, are apparently coming soon. The Pantech Vega Racer 2 and Samsung Galaxy S III are getting a firmware update that will make them compatible later this month, and "most" smartphones released in the second half of 2012 should have support built in.
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