SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) today announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rohde & Schwarz, a leading manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment, to collaboratively develop key network technologies for 5G.

Under the MOU, SK Telecom and Rohde & Schwarz will measure and analyze radio propagation characteristics – including path loss, angular spreading and time delay profile - of 6GHz or higher frequency bands to gain a deep understanding of these channels.

The two companies will also jointly set up a 5G test bed for a new air interface to support efficient transmission of data in the higher frequency bands.

Moreover, they will continue to work together to develop an Active Antenna System (AAS), which is expected to play a crucial role in the next-generation network as AAS can automatically create an optimal mobile communication environment by dynamically adjusting radiation patterns. SK Telecom and Rohde & Schwarz have been conducting joint research and development activities in this area since 2013.

The MOU signing ceremony, held today at SK Telecom’s Headquarters, was attended by senior executives of both companies, including Alex Jinsung Choi, the Chief Technology Officer of SK Telecom, and Christian Leicher, the Chief Operating Officer of Rohde & Schwarz.

“This MOU with Rohde Schwarz, a global leading player in test and measurement equipment, will serve as an important milestone in the development of key 5G technologies,” said Alex Jinsung Choi, the Chief Technology Officer of SK Telecom.

“Rohde & Schwarz is pleased to enter into an MOU with SK Telecom, an innovator in the field of mobile network technologies” said Christian Leicher, the Chief Operating Officer of Rohde & Schwarz. “By joining forces with SK Telecom, we expect to achieve synergies in our studies to secure next-generation technologies.”

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, KSE: 017670), established in 1984, is Korea’s largest telecommunications company with more than 28 million mobile subscribers, accounting for around 50% of the market. The company reached KRW 17.164 trillion in revenue in 2014. As the world’s first company to commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, SK Telecom launched the nation’s first LTE service in July 2011. SK Telecom also became the world’s first mobile carrier to commercialize 150Mbps LTE-Advanced in June 2013 and 225Mbps LTE-Advanced in June 2014 through Carrier Aggregation(CA). In line with its efforts to swiftly move towards the next-generation mobile network system, or 5G, it successfully commercialized 300Mbps tri-band LTE-A CA. As of the end of March 2015, the company has over 17.4 million LTE and LTE-Advanced subscribers. Based on its strength in network operations business, SK Telecom is seeking new growth engines through three innovative platforms namely Lifestyle Enhancement Platform, Advanced Media Platform and IoT Service Platform. For more information, please visit www.sktelecom.com or email to press@sktelecom.com.