KT develops flexible antenna array tech to increase coverage of 5G base stations

By Park Sae-jin Posted : December 4, 2019, 11:25 Updated : December 4, 2019, 11:25

[Courtesy of KT]

SEOUL -- KT, South Korea's largest telecom company, has developed a new technology to increase the coverage of 5G base stations by 20 about percent.

KT said on Wednesday that the company developed a new flexible antenna array technology by creating a new algorithm so that base stations can flexibly change the array of its antennae to match the condition of nearby mobile networks. The new technology allows a base station to restore data signals, increasing its coverage by about 20 percent.

"The 5G uplink coverage improvement technology developed by KT this time is the result of endless efforts to provide high-quality 5G services," KT`s network research and technology support team head Lee Soo-gil was quoted as saying.

Currently, 5G mobile communication technology is being adopted globally at a fast rate. Because 5G communication base stations have less coverage than 4Gs, mobile carriers are required to install extra base stations to provide thorough 5G coverage across urban areas.

KT completed application for patents related to the flexible antenna array technology in April and applied it to a 5G test network for demonstration. KT said that the company is currently cooperating with base station manufacturers to commercialize the flexible antenna array technology.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, there are about four million 5G smartphone users in South Korea after major mobile carriers started their commercial 5G services in April this year. However, many 5G users complain about slow data speed and poor connection due to a lack of coverage.
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