LGU+ develops new SDN switch for 5G mobile network service

SEOUL -- LG U+, a mobile carrier involved in the establishment of South Korea's fifth-generation mobile network, applied a new SDN (software-defined networking) switch to support efficient management and rapid expansion of 5G equipment. LG U+ is the only South Korean mobile carrier to select China's Huawei as the supplier of 5G equipment.

LG U+ said the 5G SDN switch extends virtual private network (VPN) capabilities. The security of services is greatly enhanced, and customers using virtualized independent networks can enjoy the same effect as using a separate network.

SDN technology, which makes networks agile and flexible, is an approach to cloud computing that facilitates network management and enables programmatically efficient network configuration in order to improve network performance and monitoring. An SDN switch is a software program or hardware device that transmits data traffic from server and terminal to destination without collision.

The 5G SDN switch features integrated control and systematic operation and management, such as setting up and changing the network configuration of multiple equipment at the same time from one controller. As a result, efficient management of 5G machines running on virtualization basis and new 5G services tailored to rapidly changing customer needs can be quickly developed and upgraded faster.

Experts predict the 5G era will bring a dramatic change to daily life. Technology and telecom companies are in the race to commercialize 5G networks, which are vital for the telecom renaissance to be brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. South Korean firms are trying hard to commercialize a 5G mobile network ahead of other countries.