Samsung, KT to build private 5G network for South Korean Navy

Philip Lee -

Seoul, South Korea - Samsung Electronics (005930. KS) and KT Corporation (030200. KS) have been selected to deploy a private 5G network for the Republic of Korea Navy's "Smart Naval Port" project, the companies announced on Tuesday.

 This marks the first such deployment at a Korean naval base.

The project, set to be completed by December 2025, aims to improve battleship and base operation support capabilities. 

The private 5G network will cover the Navy's 2nd Fleet, providing enhanced connectivity and security.

Key applications include:

  • A digital twin of the naval base
  • Intelligent security monitoring
  • Comprehensive battleship operation management system

Samsung will supply its end-to-end private 5G network solution, including:

  • Private network 5G SA Compact Core
  • Indoor and outdoor radio solutions
  • Network management software

The system will operate on the mid-band (4.7GHz) spectrum, commonly used for military applications.

KT's Jun-Ho Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of the Public Customer Business Unit, stated the project would help establish a standardized system for the Navy.

Samsung's Simon Lee, Vice President and Head of B2B·B2G Business Development Group, highlighted the company's experience deploying private 5G networks across various sectors, including hospitals, universities, and government agencies.

The companies expect the private 5G network to enhance military workplace safety and efficiency through AI-enabled connectivity solutions and next-generation applications.

Neither company disclosed the financial terms of the deal.