South Korea Is Building What Could Be the Future Standard in Wireless Speed The country is investing $1.5 billion to make 5G wireless internet nationally available by the end of the decade.
By Nina Zipkin •
How much would you pay for instant download ability?
South Korea's Ministry of Science and Technology announced plans to spend about $1.5 billion to build a national 5G wireless network to be commercially available by 2020. With the new 5G -- which would be 1,000 times faster than most 4G LTE networks -- users would be able download a full-length, 800-megabyte film in just one second.
Yep, just one second. That's it.
Related: An Accelerated History of Internet Speed (Infographic)
The country's science ministry sees this plan as "preemptive," noting in a statement on Wednesday, "Countries in Europe, China and the US are making aggressive efforts to develop 5G technology...and we believe there will be fierce competition in this market in a few years."
South Korea is home to tech heavy-hitters like Samsung and LG, and is known for not only being an interconnected nation, but having the fastest internet in the world. The 5G network would not only be a boon for country's mobile and telecommunications industries. Apparently the faster internet speed would make it possible for travelers on 310 mph bullet trains to get access to their e-mail and preferred social media networks.
When wireless reaches that speed in the U.S., well, watch out.
