South Korea to develop 5G SA quality metrics by year-end
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans pilot measurements this year, with new indicators covering SA access, latency and network slicing quality.
South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT will develop new quality-evaluation indicators reflecting 5G standalone (SA) features within the year and carry out pilot measurements, according to digitaltoday.co.kr, ahead of carriers' planned nationwide 5G SA rollout in December.
The new assessment items under review include whether a device connects to and stays on SA, latency, and network slicing quality. The ministry is developing the indicators and measurement methods through a research group involving industry, academic and research experts, with pilot measurements targeted before the end of the year.
A ministry official said that because carriers differ in how far they have built out 5G SA, whether the evaluation results will be made public requires further review.
Background
KT has operated commercial SA service since July 2021 and has expanded its coverage, while SK Telecom and LG Uplus are aiming for nationwide SA service by the end of the year. In August 2025 the ministry launched a public-private consultative body on network investment in the AI era and checked the status of nationwide SA commercialization.
In last year's ministry evaluation, average national 5G download speed was 973.55Mbps, with KT at 1030.26Mbps, SK Telecom at 1024.50Mbps and LG Uplus at 865.88Mbps. Download speed has long been the most closely watched indicator in carrier competition, and the ministry has since added simultaneous 5G and LTE measurement and service-specific required-speed fulfillment rates to address the limits of the older approach.
Quick answers
What will the new 5G SA quality indicators measure?
The ministry is reviewing SA connection and retention, latency and network slicing quality, alongside the existing metrics such as download and upload speeds.
When will the pilot measurements take place?
The ministry aims to complete development of the indicators and run pilot measurements before the end of the year.
Will the evaluation results be published?
A ministry official said publication needs further review because carriers' 5G SA build-out levels differ.