SK Broadband has developed a network device, the '5-gigabit PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch', that supports 5Gbps-class speeds that are twice as fast as existing equipment. It will step up efforts to target the school communications network market.

SKB said on May 13 that PoE switches widely used at schools support speeds of up to 2.5Gbps, causing traffic bottlenecks in some sections.

SKB developed the 5-gigabit PoE switch with telecommunications equipment maker NST Information & Communication. It can address bottlenecks in a multigigabit environment by supporting 5Gbps speeds simultaneously across 24 LAN ports. To enable smooth data exchange and transmission with an upper backbone switch, it also includes 2 '10Gbps SFP+ uplink ports' to improve overall network efficiency.

It also strengthened maintenance functions. Through 'PoE recovery' technology, if no traffic is detected due to a fault in an access point or device connected to the network, the PoE switch automatically resets power to the relevant port to restore service.

SKB expects the 5-gigabit PoE switch to be able to smoothly handle rising internet traffic within schools driven by classes using high-definition video and generative artificial intelligence (AI).

Kim Ju-young (김주영), head of SKB's enterprise business, said, "With the 5-gigabit PoE switch launched this time, we will provide a pleasant school internet environment and lay the foundation for AI classrooms."