KT Expands 5G SA to iPhones Following Galaxy, Taking Lead in Competiti…

KT has become the first among Korea’s three mobile carriers to apply 5G Standalone (SA) technology to iPhones, following its earlier rollout on Galaxy smartphones. / Image generated by Gemini

KT is moving ahead of its rivals by expanding the scope of 5G SA (Standalone) from Galaxy smartphones to iPhones. SK Telecom and LG Uplus plan to introduce SA within the year.

On the 26th, KT announced that it would provide 5G SA services on iPhones for the first time in Korea. Supported models include five devices in the iPhone 17 lineup (iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e), which can be used after updating to iOS version 19.4. Galaxy smartphones have already supported SA since 2021.

Unlike the non-standalone (NSA) mode that relies on existing LTE core networks, 5G SA utilizes a dedicated 5G core network. It enables next-generation services such as ultra-low latency, ultra-fast data processing, and network slicing, making it a key infrastructure for autonomous driving, smart factories, and immersive content.

KT was able to expand SA support to iPhones faster than its competitors thanks to innovations in its network architecture. The company preemptively introduced the CUPS (Control and User Plane Separation) system, which separates the user plane from the control plane, securing the core network flexibility required for the SA transition.

Market competition is expected to intensify. SK Telecom and LG Uplus are also aiming to commercialize 5G SA within the year. Industry observers believe that, given the high share of iPhone users in Korea, expanding SA support could become a key factor in attracting subscribers and differentiating services.

An industry official said, “SA will mark the starting point of platform competition beyond simple speed rivalry,” adding, “The expansion of device support and the discovery of killer services will determine the future landscape.”