The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, hereinafter referred to as “the Ministry”) and the Korea Radio Promotion Association (President Lee Sang-hoon) announced that they would be hosting a seminar titled “5G Specialized Network Convergence Service Cases and Prospects” to support the dissemination of 5G specialized networks, known as “Saemmul 5G,” which underpin the digital transformation and AI integration.
5G specialized networks provide high-speed, low-latency, and hyper-connected 5G services using dedicated frequency bands in specific areas such as buildings and lands. They serve as the infrastructure for AI-based digital transformation across various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, facility management, education, and healthcare.
The government established the specialized network introduction policy in 2021 and has since streamlined related systems, with 39 companies and institutions currently utilizing these networks at 92 locations. The Ministry and the Promotion Association have been holding sector-specific seminars since last year to encourage the use of specialized networks in industrial settings.
This year, four seminars are being held, focusing on demand industries such as food, manufacturing, robotics, and intelligent buildings. The first seminar was held on July 17th at the Korea Food Industry Cluster Promotion Agency in Iksan, Jeonbuk. Companies related to specialized networks, including LG Electronics, HFR, SMEC, and Wizcore, participated to present cases of food industry applications.
At the event, the Ministry revised and distributed the specialized network guidelines established in 2021. The amendments aim to supplement convergence service cases, reflect system improvements, and reduce trial and error for demand companies, thereby promoting the adoption of specialized networks.
The second seminar will be held in conjunction with the “PNT FAIR 2025” in early September at KINTEX in Ilsan. Participation from specialized network equipment developers, suppliers, and demand companies is expected to share domestic and international introduction cases and market prospects.
The third seminar is scheduled for late September in Seoul and will involve cooperation between the Building Space Research Institute and the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation. Discussions will focus on the application cases of specialized networks in intelligent buildings and smart green industrial complexes, as well as directions for digital transformation. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport established an activation roadmap for intelligent buildings in December 2023, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has designated and is operating 21 smart green industrial complexes since 2019.
The fourth seminar will be co-hosted at COEX in November with the Korea Robotics Industry Promotion Agency. Proof cases of specialized networks in the robotics industry and related cooperation plans will be presented.
The Ministry emphasized, “This is a time when all industries are transitioning from digital transformation (DX) to artificial intelligence transformation (AX). The importance of digital infrastructure such as the 5G specialized network is increasing.” They added, “We plan to continue supporting the expansion of specialized networks through multifaceted support such as frequency supply, system improvement, technology support, and consulting.”
