South Korea's vast 5G coverage offers little new content

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20220404N South Korea 5G

KT and other South Korean telecoms have surpassed 90% 5G coverage in urban areas. (Photo courtesy of KT)

KOTARO HOSOKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- A South Korean commuter watches a streaming service on his smartphone during a recent trip to work, but while the video can be viewed using high-speed 5G signals, he purposely set the phone to 4G reception instead.

"4G is good enough to watch videos," the 29-year-old man says that morning. "5G connection drains the battery faster."

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