South Korea’s leading wireless carrier SK Telecom Co. successfully tested out the world’s fastest fifth-generation (5G) network-based connected car running at a speed of 170 kilometers (105 miles) per hour.

SK Telecom said on Tuesday that a BMW connected car powered by the 5G network on 28 GHz spectrum jointly developed with Swedish communication device maker Ericsson connected to data transmitting at a speed of 3.6Gbps while speeding at 105 miles per hour at BMW Driving Center in Yeongjong Island, Incheon.

The 3.6Gbps speed is twice faster than that of its previous test conducted at the same place in November 2016, and seven times faster than mainstream mobile network’s maximum speed of 500Mbps.

A high-speed communication network is essential for a connected car to ensure safe driving as it has to send and receive massive traffic-related data in real time. A connected car powered by 5G network can respond swiftly to hurdles and emergencies even while speeding.

The 5G network tested by SK Telecom uses a 28 GHz high frequency spectrum on a 2.6-kilometer-long track. A high frequency band allows high-speed data transmission but makes it difficult to avoid obstacles as waves tend to travel in straight lines. It has also a downside of narrow communication range.

SK Telecom said that it had overcome the disadvantages by advancing 5G network’s core beam-forming and beam-tracking technologies that enable data transfer to a certain device while successfully avoiding obstacles.

The company plans to further develop 5G related technologies to provide various services in time for the network to be commercialized. Last month, it pledged 5 trillion won ($4.37 billion) worth investment to focus on self-driving and connected cars.

Shares of of SK Telecom closed Tuesday at 226,500 won, up 2.03 percent or 4,500 won from the previous session.

By Lim Sung-hyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]