A South Korean small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) recently earned acclaim for localizing a high-speed connector, an essential piece of equipment for 5G communication, with support from Samsung Electronics Co. This feat, acknowledged through the receipt of the prestigious Presidential Award, underscores the emergence of a new mutual growth model where large enterprises and SMEs join forces to spearhead the domestic manufacturing of vital equipment, while opening avenues for pioneering market opportunities.

Withwave was honored with the Presidential Award at the 24th Radio Broadcasting Technology Grand Prize hosted by the Korea Radio Promotion Association on Monday. The company received recognition for its contribution to the development of the Korean radio industry by successfully localizing the high-performance high-speed connector for 5G in collaboration with Samsung Electronics.

Withwave is a key player in the development of a wide range of radio frequency (RF) as well as microwave test solutions and subsystems.

South Korea previously relied on imports from the United States and Japan for high-speed connectors that constitute a foundational technology for ultra-high-speed data transmission.

Samsung Electronics’ Manufacturing Technology Center, which has been working on equipment localization, identified Withwave as an SME with technological capabilities and provided research and financial support. Withwave had no prior transactional relationship with Samsung Electronics.

Supported by Samsung Electronics, Withwave successfully manufactured high-speed connectors at speeds ranging from 28 to 56 Gbps. In addition to achieving recognition for quality and performance, Withwave now supplies its products to Samsung Electronics’ Network Business Division. Successful localization not only replaces imports but also results in a cost reduction of over 30 percent compared to previous supply costs, according to Samsung Electronics.

By Choi Seung-jin and Minu Kim

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