Talking to the IEEE Brooklyn 5G Summit in the US, KT EVP Hong-Beom Jeon said the company had already tested 5G use cases based on its own specifications for the technology.

IT thinks it can meet its target of rolling-out trial networks for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, which take place in February 2018.

KT will install 5G-like technologies to enhance spectator experience, including tracking specific athletes on cross-country routes, and real time 360-degree VR views from the perspective of tobogganers.

Its 28GHz systems will be seen in Gangneung, PyeongChang, Jeongseon and Bokwang, in addition to a limited service within Seoul.

KT performed initial field tests at recent winter sporting events in the country and is confident its system will be ready for the start of the event.

It will be advertising the event as the World’s First 5G Olympics. After the trials, Jeon expects full commercial deployment in the country will take place during 2019.

KT is using its own specifications for the technology, which it might need to change when official 3GPP standards are unveiled at the end of March 2018. However, the goal of the upgrade is to gain experience for the commercialisation, so the actual technology is less important.