The nation’s leading mobile carrier SK Telecom said Monday that it has successfully demonstrated the wired 5G network technology on the so-called core network architecture, serving as a control tower in providing services such as user authentication, voice calls, and Internet connectivity.

The core network system, which controls user traffic for customers to access the Internet, has to be revamped for the commercialization of the wired 5G network services.


The Seoul-based firm said the latest technology would be a technological breakthrough in making the core network system compatible with the next-generation telecom services. It was developed jointly with Finnish telecommunications equipment developer Nokia Networks, the firm added.

In the demonstration, the partners utilized technology that separates the user plane ― which handles network user traffic ― and the control plane ― which carries signaling traffic of the core network architecture.

The separation of user plane and control plane is essential for building a hybrid core network architecture ― physical, central control centers and virtual, regional control centers ― which offers benefits of both centralized and distributed network models, SKT explained.

“SKT will work closely with Nokia to deliver differentiated 5G services and to improve and standardize 5G network architecture technologies,” said Park Jin-hyo, head of SKT’s network technology research and development center.

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