SK Telecom rolls out super-fast 400 Gbps 5G wired network

South Korea’s SK Telecom Co. on Tuesday announced a national first through its 400 gigabit per second (Gbps) high-capacity wired network used in its 5G mobile communication backbone.

This is four times faster than the 100 Gbps of the wired network in use in the backbone.

As a central network that props up a communication network, the backbone is a large transmission line that collects data from each connected small line and rapidly transmits it. The new network processes traffic at 400 Gbps. 

The company said the 400 Gbps network boosts network management efficiency by reducing the number of wired networks connecting the backbone. A quick response also comes in the event of breakdown or failure.

“A rising number of services require large-capacity communication data traffic like artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud,” the company said. “We decided to adopt this wired network ahead of the expansion of communication networks stemming from the future advancement of 5G and commercialization of 6G.”

SK Telecom first applied this technology to the backbone section of the Seongsu and Boramae neighborhoods in Seoul. After further testing and monitoring, it will expand and install the 400 Gbps wired network to backbones across the country.

The new network is also expected to cut energy consumption and improve environmental and social governance (ESG) management like lowering the need for equipment space and lessening CO2 emissions due to reduced line construction.

SK Telecom will also closely follow network performance management including that of lines and equipment amid growth in backbone capacity. It will check the wired network’s performance based on AI and promote advancement of surveillance automation functions.

Write to Ji-Eun Jeong at jeong@hankyung.com