© 2026 ABC News

\"Title of being ‘world’s first 5G’ may bring a promotional effect for one company [like] Verizon, but for South Korea it’s a publicity for the entire country,” Kim Yeon-Hak, an internet technology expert who is teaching at Sogang University, told ABC News. “Electronic companies like Samsung, the factories, production lines, contents that goes inside 5G phones … they believe everything that is constituting the IT ecosystem will meet a new era under 5G network.”

The new 5G technology enables dramatically faster download speeds with almost no delay in watching videos or loading pictures. It has data transmission speeds 20 times faster than the current 4G long-term evolution (LTE) wireless technology.

\"PHOTO:
Ahn Young-joon/AP
PHOTO: Participants wear VR devices for an audio-visual experience during a media showcase for 5G service of SK Telecom in Seoul, South Korea, April 3, 2019.
>

For businesses sectors, the superfast wireless technology will offer improved support for artificial intelligence, media content, robotic factory lines, remote medical services and telepresence conference calls that enables hologram communications seen in movies like “Captain America” and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”

Mobile carriers are competitively developing and introducing photorealistic live streaming services and virtual reality experiences to prove that 5G network is a change that is worth the cost of purchasing a new phone and plan.

South Korea’s new service will work on Samsung Electronics’ new 5G-enabled smartphone Galaxy S10. LG Electronics plans to introduce its own 5G smartphone later this month.

\"PHOTO:
Yonhap/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: A 5G launching ceremony at the company headquarters in Seoul. - South Korea launched the world's first nationwide 5G mobile networks two days early, its top mobile carriers said on April 4.
>

Verizon’s Ultra Wideband network customers must use Motorola’s Z3 and a “5G Moto Mod,” an accessory that allows Z3 to connect to the 5G Ultra Wideband network.

While the competition over the publicity on 5G network is intense, mobile technology experts warn that the launch of 5G service is only a beginning.

“The faster speed won’t be that much of a dramatic change for average consumers. But 5G could really make a difference in self-driving automobiles and remote services in terms of high reliability and precision,” Kim told ABC News.

ABC News' Hansol Park contributed to this report.

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