South Korean mobile users on 5G networks reached nearly 16 million in May, data from the Ministry of Science and ICT revealed, as telecom operators seek to expand applications of the next generation networks.
This is up from 15.1 million the month before. As of the end of May, 5G subscriptions stood at 15.84 million, accounting for 22 percent of the total 71.45 million mobile subscriptions in the country. South Korea has a population of around 51 million.
SK Telecom had the most 5G subscribers at 7.39 million, followed by KT at 4.8 million and LG Uplus at 3.6 million.
User growth on 5G networks has been relatively sluggish in recent months amid a lack of new flagship devices.
The latest figure also comes as the telcos face lawsuits from 5G users who are unhappy over disappointing service quality.
Around 500 5G users have taken collective legal action last month against the three carriers, seeking compensation for poor network connectivity and disappointing speeds.
Korea’s telcos have been racing to improve services, aiming to reach nationwide coverage by the end of 2022.
