`5G golden frequency is 3.5 ~ 3.6GHz.`

The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Information and Communication are scheduled to release a 5G mobile auction draft this month, while the interest in the golden frequency band is increasing in 5G. In the industry, mobile carriers that catch the mid-range (3.5 ~ 3.6GHz) of the 300MHz bandwidth of 3.5GHz band, which is essential for nationwide network construction, are expected to be the top winner.

According to the industry on April 4, there are concerns about interference at the bottom of the 3.5GHz frequency bands that will be auctioned on the 5G frequency auction is expected.

The Korean government newly designated 5G frequencies are 3.5GHz and 28GHz. In the 3.5GHz band, which is expected to be intensified in the auction, which is essential for the nationwide network construction, the 300MHz band has been designated for the 5G frequency band from 3.4 to 3.7GHz. Though there is a difference depending on auction method and block unit, it can be different according to which section of 300 ㎒ width is taken.

The point of observation at this auction is which mobile carrier occupies the "golden" frequency of 3.5GHz band. Equally important is the strategic battle to avoid bidding on frequency bands of concern.

First, the golden frequency is a frequency band with high scalability while avoiding the interference phenomenon. The industry expects the auction to be won or lost due to who is occupying the 3.5 ~ 3.6GHz band in the middle of 3.4 ~ 3.7GHz in the auction.

There will be competition between these three bands. SK Telecom, the No. 1 operator, claims that more than 100MHz is needed for smooth service based on subscriber size. 150 MHz or 200 MHz. According to this strategy, it is expected that the auction will be concentrated in the 3.5 ~ 3.6GHz section. If the frequency band is secured, it can be easily expanded to the left and right to secure a wider frequency. On the other hand, KT and LG Uplus, which claim to allocate 100MHz units, are expected to take steps to secure more than 3.5GHz band to prevent SK Telecom`s strategy and secure stable frequency. As a result, industry analysis shows that this band is the most expensive band to be won in this 5G frequency auction.

The frequency of the problem is 20MHz, 3.40 ~ 3.42GHz, and the mobile carrier that won this section will be in the most unfavorable position in the 5G competition. This band has been pointed out that there is concern that public frequencies and interference will occur. To solve the frequency interference problem, you should use a filter or a guard band to exclude it. That is, a portion of the 3.4GHz frequency band shall be sacrificed. Even if 100 MHz is received, only 80 MHz is actually used. It is argued that the government should provide incentives to operators who have won the band.

Meanwhile, according to the telecommunication industry, the Ministry of Information and Communication received comments from operators such as SK Telecom, KT, and LG U + for concerns over the interference of adjacent bands in the 3.5GHz band. Last weekend, it was reported that it requested the submission of opinions to operators in relation to the supply method of 3.5GHz band including bearer block method. An industry official said, "If we judge that there is interference in a certain band in the frequency auction, we will lower the value and participate in the auction." "The government is also reviewing this issue carefully to induce auction."

By Kim Ji Young kjy@


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