KT (Chairman Hwang Chang-gyu, wwww.kt.com) announced on 27th that it will promote 'Open 5G standard' by participating as a board member at the founding general meeting of 'ORAN (Open Radio Access Network) Alliance' held at Kerry Hotel, Shanghai.

The ORAN Alliance was formed by global carriers to standardize the open 5G network. It is participated by 12 major telecommunication companies including KT, AT & T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, NTT DoCoMo and Orange. Global 5G equipment makers will also participate in the future.

'Open 5G network' refers to providing an environment where SMEs can easily develop network equipment because it is possible to interwork with different manufacturers' equipment through an open interface, unlike conventional closed wireless networks using dedicated base station equipment. Another goal is to easily integrate the latest IT technologies such as AI and block chains into the 5G network by virtualizing the base station functions with software.

Based on the technology and know-how gained through the success of 5G pilot service, KT will participate in 7 working groups of ORAN and will lead the standards of the following technologies ▲ 5G open virtual base station structure, ▲ AI based 5G network operation, ▲ 5G equipment open interface standard specification.

Based on these ORAN activities, KT will also expand win-win cooperation with domestic venture companies and SMEs and plan to develop differentiated 5G wireless equipment compatible with 5G equipment of global companies.

Meanwhile, KT has led the global discussion on 5G, including the development of 'Pyeongchang 5G standard' for the past three years, 5G standardization at ITU and GSMA, and the world's first 5G pilot service in PyeongChang. In particular, the 5G open network architecture and the adoption of many standards in the field of standardization of the 5G base station interface contributed to the completion of the 5G standard specification.

Jeon Hong-bum, the director of the KT Convergence Technology Research Center, said, "Global cooperation for the open 5G network is urgently needed for commercialization of 5G, which is approaching early next year. KT will continue to strengthen the foundation for mutual cooperation with domestic SMEs, We will secure 5G network competitiveness. "