Poor 5G connectivity disappoints South Korean users

Over 560,000 consumers return to 4G as applications for dispute mediation rise

South Korea's telecom companies were the first in the world to introduce commercial 5G services, but they have failed to meet consumer expectations. © Reuters

SOTARO SUZUKI, Nikkei staff writer

November 7, 2020 15:01 JST

SEOUL -- Despite being the first in the world to provide fifth-generation communications services, South Korea is now seeing consumers cancel contracts to return to older technologies due to poor connectivity.

"As many as 562,656 people have switched from 5G to LTE," said Hong Jung-min, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and a member of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, on Oct. 7, referring to fourth-generation long-term evolution services.