Science ministry showcases 5G subway Wi-Fi on Incheon Line 2

The science ministry said Wednesday that 5G-based Wi-Fi has been completed on two Incheon subway lines, the first routes on which all three of South Korea's mobile carriers have launched the upgraded service, and held an event to let members of the public try it.

The ministry held the demonstration on Line 2 between Unyeon Station and Incheon City Hall Station, checking the results of the upgrade from LTE to 5G on the pilot lines, Incheon Lines 1 and 2. Ryu Je-myung, the ministry's second vice minister, joined the test ride along with Rep. Lee Hoon-ki of the National Assembly, Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae, Incheon Transit Corporation President Choi Jeong-kyu, officials from the three carriers and 11 members of a public experience group.

The participants rode through seven stations, browsing the web, using social media and watching video over the Wi-Fi. Users experienced faster response times than before and could stream high-definition video without interruption even when many people were connected at once, the ministry said.

"This event was a meaningful occasion to confirm with the public the results of improving the quality of 5G-based subway Wi-Fi," Ryu said. "We will provide policy support so that 5G-based subway Wi-Fi can be expanded nationwide in cooperation with the three mobile carriers and regional transit operators."