Korea's leading network operator KT Corp. said April 1 that it would beef up its partnership with China Mobile for the next-generation network 5G and connected network services.

“Global cooperation is especially important to have future telecom technologies in place,” said KT chief executive Hwang Chang-gyu at a workshop held at the head office of China Mobile on Thursday.

Hwang met China Mobile‘s top executives, including chairman Shang Bing, to discuss 5G initiatives and other pending network issues. 

KT said the two firms will pursue a strategic partnership to develop and test relevant network technologies and set up 5G standards for the years to come.

“The partnership with the Chinese firm would be in line with KT’s efforts to seek new business opportunity in the Chinese market,” said Ji Yong-hoon, a public relations representative of KT.

KT and China Mobile are among the world’s top network firms that have been stepping up their efforts to test and launch the 5G networks ahead of major sports events.

KT is slated to launch trial 5G services for the first time in the world during the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, while the Chinese counterpart will provide 5G services during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Faced with an increasingly saturated market, Korea‘s three telecom firms, including KT and SK Telecom, have been working to expand their global reach.

KT CEO Hwang Chang-gyu (second from left) visits the Zhongguancung start-up district in Beijing on Thursday. (KT)

Previously, KT and China Mobile signed a series of partnership deals to work together for the Internet of Things -- everyday Internet-connected devices -- businesses. They would adopt the Internet of Things services of each firm and develop connected network solutions together.

China Mobile has around 312 million Long-Term Evolution, or 4G, subscribers in China -- more than 80 percent of total Chinese 4G subscriptions.

The number of 4G subscribers in China approximately accounts for 35 percent of the 1 billion subscriptions worldwide, according to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)