KT develops fixed-line network boost technology

KT researchers demonstrate the gigabit-class Internet service on the outdated 2pairs LAN at the company's research center in Seocho, southern Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of KT

By Yoon Sung-won

KT has developed a world-first technology capable of boosting the speed of local area network (LAN) internet services to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), the telecom company said Tuesday.

KT said the new technology, 2pairs LAN GiGA, will accelerate the development of gigabit-class network services without the need for costly and disruptive physical upgrades to network cables.

"The new technology will strengthen our reputation as an IT powerhouse, following up on the world's first GiGA Internet and GiGA Wire," said KT Chief Technology Officer Lee Dong-myun. "We will continue to develop cutting-edge wired and wireless network technologies to take a leading role in the era of 5G."

The 2pairs LAN GiGA technology doubles network speeds by improving the modulation system between operators and subscribers. In Korea, buildings established before 2000 generally have the 2pairs LAN environment, which uses wires to provide network speeds between 100Mbps and 500Mbps.

This means subscribers who do not have high-speed optical-fiber cables ― fiber-to-the-home or 4pairs LAN systems ― can still achieve gigabit-class internet speeds. KT said about 39 percent of the nation's high-speed internet service subscribers are in a LAN environment and some have the outdated 2pairs LAN, which has meant they were unable to use faster fixed-line network service.

The telecom company also expects to export the 2pairs LAN GiGA Internet technology after having sold its GiGA Wire system to Spain and Turkey in February. The GiGA Wire system provides up to 600Mbps through existing telephone networks.

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