South Korea launches world’s first commercial 5G service

South Korea's cellular carriers have launched the world's first 5G networks

South Korea 5G Networks Participants wear VR devices for an audio-visual experience during a media showcase for 5G service of SK Telecom in Seoul | AP

South Korea's top three cellular carriers have launched the world's first nationwide 5G mobile networks that will herald a new level of fast connectivity.

SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus began their 5G services at 11pm local time on Wednesday, two days ahead of scheduled date of April 5 in order to beat their US counterparts.

US mobile operator Verizon began its '5G Ultra Wideband' network ahead of the earlier planned schedule in Chicago and Minneapolis on Wednesday local time. According to Yonhap news agency, Verizon had planned its 5G network launch for April 11. Hyper-wired South Korea's networks advanced their launch by two hours in order to take a leap ahead of the US network carrier.

South Korea's biggest service provider, SK Telecom, said in a press release that it activated 5G services for six celebrities representing Korea as of 11 pm April 3 2019. The celebrities, who included two members of K-pop band EXO and Olympic hero Kim Yu-na, have become the world's first 5G smartphone users. KT and LG Uplus also announced that their services were activated at the same time.

5G networks would be working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to power a huge rise in super-fast wireless technology.

It is expected that more than 3 million South Koreans will switch to 5G by the end of this year.

Galaxy S10 5G, the world's first available smartphone using 5G solutions, was launched by Samsung Electronics. Verizon's service will be working with Lenovo's Moto Z3 smartphone.