South Korea and the EU have joined forces to promote and develop the world’s next generation of mobile internet network.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CT62uNp Under a pact announced on Monday, the European Commission and South Korea will work towards a common definition of so-called 5G networks, in a bid to help set a rollout timetable and global standard by the end of 2015.

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CT8VuDi While ultra-fast 5G remains ill-defined and its full development is still many years away, the deal is a boost for the European telecoms industry in particular, which is struggling with declining revenues and lagging behind the US and Asia in providing the current 4G standard.
For consumers, the EU suggests 5G mobile device users will be able to download a one-hour high-definition film in six seconds.
Neelie Kroes, the commissioner in charge of digital technology, said that both sides recognised that 5G will become “the new lifeblood” of the digital economy once established.
“This is the first time ever that public authorities have joined together in this way, with the support of private industry, to push forward the process of standardisation,” she said.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CTLpbOa The agreement also includes pledges to “explore further possibilities” in co-ordinating research, with plans launched in 2016. The two sides would also harmonise radio frequencies so they are prepared for the new technology. Companies involved in 5G infrastructure – such as Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung – will agree a memorandum of understanding.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CTQEapu What will be defined as a 5G network is still not clear to some telecoms analysts, who say that the term has been used for anything from faster broadband speeds to just marketing hype. The ambiguity is seen in the agreement struck in Seoul, which will in part create a global definition that the industry can use in future
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CTShvJH However, groups such as Ericsson are developing technology around networks that are likely to emerge as 5G standards, based on providing “always on” networks that can be relied on to provide the background connections to billions of devices being operated and monitored remotely.
High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email ftsales.support@ft.com to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/37eed44c-f538-11e3-91a8-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz38CTabrPD Such ubiquitous networks are seen as crucial for “internet of things” connectivity, where everything from household appliances and security systems to cars and utilities are run through cloud computing. For example, if driverless cars are ever to become a reality then networks need to provide flawless connections, otherwise the results could be catastrophic.