[종합] 5G quality evaluation, speed improved, but… 50 million LTE users cried

[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Nae Nae = The government’s quality evaluation results for the second half of the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication service were not significantly different from the first half.

In terms of transmission speed and stability, which are the most important factors in 5G quality, SK Telecom has the best, LG U+ has the widest national network coverage, and KT subscribers can easily use 5G services in major multi-use facilities than other companies.

The criticism raised in the first half evaluation was still valid. This is because 5G quality was evaluated only for the base station installation area submitted by the three mobile operators, and there was a large gap between the actual user experience quality and the number suggested by this evaluation.

Rather, it turned out that the quality of Long Term Evolution (LTE), which was considered only a’monster story’, was true. About 54 million LTE subscribers were suffering from slower transmission speeds after 5G commercialization. In particular, as the gap between urban and rural areas in LTE transmission speed is widening, voices say that additional measures by the government are needed.

The Ministry of Science, ICT, and ICT and the Korea Intelligent Information Society Agency (NIA) announced the results of ‘2020 telecommunication service coverage inspection and quality evaluation’ on the 30th and held a press briefing at the Government Complex Sejong.

◆ The government emphasized “improving the 5G level”… “We are No. 1”

[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Nae Nae-kyung = Jin-bae Hong, Director of Communications Policy, Ministry of Science, ICT, and ICT, announces the results of ‘2020 Telecommunication Service Coverage Inspection and Quality Evaluation’ through an e-briefing at the Government Complex Sejong on the 30th. 2020.12.30 [email protected]

As a result of this 5G quality evaluation, SK Telecom took the overwhelming first place in terms of quality. However, in other fields, each mobile operator has different grades. LG U+ has the highest national network coverage, and KT has the best in indoor facilities and transportation infrastructure.

The Ministry of Science and ICT emphasized that Korea is the only country that conducts 5G quality evaluation at the national level, and that the 5G level is gradually improving, and the three mobile operators emphasized favorable indicators for their respective companies and criticized the battle for No. 1.

SK Telecom said, “SKT received the best evaluation in 8 out of 10 quality measurement items such as LTE conversion rate and access speed, as well as direct speed for 5G quality,” and said, “The evaluation of coverage and multi-use facilities was submitted by the operator. It is difficult to do a simple comparison.”

KT, which received a high score in indoor facilities and transportation infrastructure with 4571 total facilities that can use 5G service, said, “In 5G, customers can experience the most, and are the first indoor facilities and transportation infrastructure (subway, KTX, SRT). , Highway) is the most advanced in construction,” he explained.

LG Uplus said, “Despite 20% less frequency than other companies, 5G download speed improved the most among carriers in the second half compared to the first half. Looking at the net 5G speed excluding LTE speed from 5G, three companies at 62Mbps per 10MHz. It is the highest among them.”

“The measurement methods are different, but overseas evaluation agencies such as Omdia, Root Matrix, and Open Signal have recently evaluated that Korea’s 5G quality has improved significantly,” said Jin-bae Hong, head of the Ministry of Information and Communication, who conducted the briefing. “Please see it as a result of efforts to improve 5G quality early, such as conducting an evaluation twice a year for the first time in a decade in which the evaluation was conducted.”

◆’Quality evaluation for better service’… Criticizes the evaluation that does not take into account the user’s perspective

[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Nae-kyung Na = Current status of 5G service coverage maps as of December of three mobile operators [자료=과기정통부] 2020.12.30 [email protected]

However, as the points pointed out in the 5G quality evaluation in the first half of the year were not improved, the government’s explanation that the quality evaluation was conducted “to provide users with information on the coverage and quality of wired and wireless communication services” became difficult. This is because the government’s 5G quality evaluation is conducted only for the location where the base station is installed, and does not match the actual usage pattern of 5G subscribers.

Regarding this, Director Hong said, “Please look at the quantitative and qualitative indicators together.” I’m going to tell you.”

Even in this explanation, there are voices that the improvement of the measurement method that fits the consumer’s eye level is necessary.

Eun-ok Moon, the secretary of the People’s Hope Headquarters of the Participation Solidarity, said, “In this survey, LTE coverage was found to be quite high with an average of 5.78%, whereas 5G coverage was rarely overstated. He pointed out that there is a large gap between the survey results and the quality of consumers’ experience.

He continued, “If the purpose of quality evaluation is to objectively evaluate service quality and provide better service to the public, then it should be measured in a way that suits the user’s eye level,” he said. “The current evaluation method is ‘5G breaks well.’ “It seems that the purpose is to emphasize the point.”

◆”LTE slows down after 5G commercialization” was a fact of user complaint

[서울=뉴스핌] Reporter Nae Nae = LTE transmission rate by city type (unit: Mbps) [자료=과기정통부] 2020.12.30 [email protected]

The suspicion of slowing LTE speed, which has been raised since the commercialization of 5G in April of last year, was also true.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Science and Technology that day, the download speed and upload speed of LTE service were both slower than last year. The download speed was lower than last year, which recorded 158.53 Mbps with an average of 153.10 Mbps, and the upload speed was also 39.31 Mbps, which was slower than last year, which recorded 42.83 Mbps. In particular, LTE download speed in rural areas increased from 128.52Mbps last year to 118.29Mbps this year, increasing the gap between urban and rural areas by nearly 20% from last year.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Science and ICT, LTE subscribers were 53,93,339, out of 70,37,3082, as of October, accounting for 76.6% of all subscribers.

Director Hong said, “We need a detailed understanding, but we believe that (LTE base station) maintenance and repair in rural areas are more necessary. The difference in urban areas is that 5G services use LTE resources while using the NSA method. “I’m trying to figure out whether it’s been an influence.” He added, “Since more than 50 million subscribers are still using the LTE service, we will strictly measure the quality next year so that the quality does not deteriorate, so that telecommunication companies will not be neglected in quality control.

The government’s specific cause for LTE quality degradation and corrective actions are also required.

Secretary Moon said, “Currently, the main customers of mobile carriers are LTE subscribers, but it is true that they lack consideration for LTE customers in various fields such as public subsidy benefits,” he said. “You have to pay more attention.”

[email protected]