S. Korea Embracing 4G to Develop Climate Solutions

July 13, 2009

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The next-generation wireless platform holds promise for more energy-efficiency, and South Korea is looking to 4G to help build the infrastructure for an eco-economy.

South Korea has struck a deal with Ericsson to build a $1.5 billion experimental 4G network in the populous nation, which hopes to use 4G technologies, such as LTE, to develop sustainable climate solutions, reports Telecoms. LTE, or long-term evolution wireless, should bring along with it improved spectral efficiency, which should lower costs, reduce energy usage and offer much faster download times.

Ericsson said its platform should offer download times of 100 megabytes per second when a user is moving, and 1 GB per second when the user is stationary.

The technology will allow companies to build networks to monitor energy efficiency and other climate-related aspects. Ericsson’s incoming CEO Hans Vestberg said that IT and communications technologies could help offset CO2 emissions 15 percent by 2020 as society looks for new ways of conducting business and new ways of living, according to a press release.

South Korea recently commited to spend nearly $85 billion on new technologies to build a green economy, Reuters reports.

The country is hoping to create more than 1.8 million jobs in sectors including renewable energy, LEDs (light-emitting diodes), smart power grids and hybrid cars.

The end goal is to give South Korea 8 percent of the international market for green technology products.

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