KT showcased GiGA LTE service at Olleh Square in Gwanghwamun, Seoul and revealed that it has established the era of fifth generation (5G) mobile network by commercializing the world's fastest mobile network, called the GiGA LTE, which can achieve peak speed of 1.17 Gbps - 15 times faster than the existing LTE services.
Giga LTE service will first be offered to Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge users among optional data plan users whose data packages are 599, 699, and 999. KT said users can update their mobile network to GiGA LTE service via manufacturer's firmware upgrade without any additional charge, from tomorrow onwards.
GiGA LTE service can realize peak speed of 1.17Gbps which is 15 times faster than the current LTE services. With the new GiGA LTE service, the users would be able to download an 18 GB ultra high-definition (UHD) in about 126 seconds.
KT said "As a result of working with Samsung Electronics since last September to co-develop the high speed network, we have succeeded in commercializing GiGA LTE service which is recognized as 5G key technology" and added "With the new GiGA LTE service, the users can get seamless access to services such as mobile internet TV, games, and high storage contents."
On one side, after the KT's showcase, rival South Korean mobile operators SK Telecom and LG U Plus, each reported in the news and unveiled that they also had already developed the consistent type of technology that can produce peak speed of 1.17Gbps by combining the LTE and WiFi network into one entity and contradicted the KT's statement by saying that KT was first to commercialize the GiGA LTE technology only because it had already finalized in making agreement with Samsung Electronics on Galaxy S6 firmware update and it is not first in the world to drive the new GiGA LTE technology.
