KT said on June 28 it conducted a pilot test applying 5G SA (standalone) network slicing technology at a World Cup street cheering site held in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun area on June 25.

Network slicing is a technology that divides a single 5G network into multiple virtual networks and allocates the resources needed for each service. It can keep communications quality stable for specific purposes such as event operations or emergency response even when traffic surges.

KT allocated separate network resources in the pilot to devices used by event staff and Seoul city and Jongno-gu officials. It used a logically separate network from general user traffic for walkie-talkie-style communication, on-site situation sharing and emergency response contact.

In an environment assuming congestion, it compared communications quality between devices with network slicing applied and ordinary devices. It verified that safety staff could respond to emergencies while being relatively less affected by nearby communications load.

Kim Young-geol (김영걸), an executive director and head of KT’s Customer Business Division, said the pilot was a starting point showing that 5G SA network slicing can develop into a new business model that designs and provides communications tailored to customers’ purposes and situations. He said it will expand the value of communications to various fields including mega events, industrial sites and public safety based on slicing technology.