KT Corp launches 5G service in South Korea with an AI robot!

With 5G commercial network expected to churn 1.5% of South Korea’s GDP by 2025, various carriers in the Eastern country are coming up with out-of-the-box methods to create a good base among its customers. South Korea’s largest telecom carrier, KT Corporation (KT) launched its 5G network commercial service earlier this month through an AI robot called Lota.

On December 1, KT Corp unveiled its next-gen wireless service at its network control center in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. Soon after, it was revealed that the AI bot Lota would be its first 5G subscriber. Lota is a robot guide to visitors to the Seoul Sky Observatory.

The Korean telecom giant seems to have selected the AI bot as a message to potential consumers on its outlook of a futuristic platform, an indication of things to come.

In Korea, KT Corp deployed the first phase of its 5G network in late November. The new service is now live in the greater Seoul metropolitan area, and in isolated regions such as Jeju, Ulleung and Dok islands.

The carrier looks to expand its nationwide 5G network to 24 major cities and key transport routes such as expressways, subways, high-speed railways, along with large universities and neighborhood shopping areas. KT Corp looks to move to the next phase of providing seamless 5G coverage through its entire network soon.

KT Corp also launched a customer service in its 5G network — 10 GB data for a mobile hotspot terminal for 49,500 won (about $44).

“KT has ushered in the 5G era by launching commercial 5G service on our 5G network across the country, and we will do our best to extend our coverage to every nook and cranny of the most remote mountain areas and islands, as well as urban cores,” KT’s Network Head Oh Sung-Mok said, “we will provide the best quality 5G service to our clients by continuing to develop cutting-edge technologies.”

KT Corp had earlier demoed the 5G trial services during the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February this year. KT Corp was formerly known as Korea Telecom before its privatization in 2002. The company now works with partners in Korea and around the world, such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Mobis, Posco, Intel, Ericsson, Nvidia and Qualcomm.

Get access to timely and accurate verbatim transcripts that are published within hours of the event.