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5G networks

Fast but patchy: Trying South Korea's new 5G service

Reliability problems cloud benefit of quicker download speeds

With 5G, the hope is that users will be able to download a two-hour movie in three seconds, down from five minutes now. (Photo by Kenichi Yamada)

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S10 5G on Friday became the world's first commercially available smartphone with inbuilt fifth-generation technology as South Korea switched on its 5G network, but there seemed to be little consumer enthusiasm for the experience in the capital city of Seoul.

At a branch of telecom giant SK Telecom, the clerk behind the counter said only one reporter had signed up for the Samsung phone.

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