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Samsung Electronics Bets on 5G to Jump-Start Networks Business | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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The logo of Samsung Electronics is seen at the company’s headquarters in Seoul, South Korea July 6, 2012. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won/File Photo


Samsung Electronics Co Ltd plans to become a global top-three player in 5G mobile networks by moving rapidly in markets like the USA, an executive said.

The world’s top smartphone maker stands well behind rivals such as Nokia Corp, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Ericsson in the networks business. It further sees a chance to catch up by moving forward in a short time on 5G, the wireless technology that telecom equipment makers are rushing to develop as the next-generation standard.

“We plan to move quickly and want to be at least among the top three with 5G,” Kim Young-ky, Samsung’s network business chief, told Reuters in an interview.

5G wireless networks are supposed to be tens of times faster than 4G technology in regard of data, enabling futuristic products such as self-driving cars and smart-gadgets that tech firms expect to become ubiquitous in the homes of tomorrow.

Major network firms are targeting the United States as it moves rapidly ahead with plans to open spectrum for 5G wireless applications. Some U.S. officials expect to see the first large-scale commercial deployments by 2020.

South Korea and Japan are also racing to deploy 5G hoping the next-generation standard will boost economic activity. South Korean carrier KT Corp aims to offer trial 5G services during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.