KT Corp has announced that it will begin offering a broadband internet service with downlink speeds of up to 10Gbps from 1 November, making it the first of South Korea’s operators to commercialise such speeds. According to The Korea Times the new service will initially be available in major cities nationwide, including Seoul, Daegu and Busan, with coverage to be expanded elsewhere in phases. In terms of pricing, it is understood that the 10Gbps service will cost KRW110,000 (USD96) per month, while KT is also planning to market a plan with a maximum 5Gbps downlink speed for KRW82,500 per month.
Prior to this commercial launch, the telco had reportedly been trialling its 10Gbps connectivity in Seoul and Pyeongchang since 2016. With the operator having said it plans to invest KRW9.6 trillion in both its fixed and wireless networks between 2019 and 2023, KT’s senior executive vice-president Lee Pill-jai was cited as saying of the latest development: ‘We have made preparations as there has been demand from users for better services … We are launching the 10Gbps internet service for customers who want to enjoy more realistic videos, faster speed and more exciting content.’