Name the country that launched the world's first fully-fledged 5G mobile networks nationwide?

Appeared in: WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

South Korea is the correct answer as it launched the world's first nationwide commercial 5G network.
The launch occurred on April 3, 2019, with three major carriers—SK Telecom, KT, and LG Uplus—rolling out the service simultaneously.
This milestone positioned South Korea as a global leader in the adoption and implementation of next-generation wireless technology.

Option A: Japan launched its commercial 5G services in March 2020, which was after South Korea's launch in 2019.
Option B: Turkey has been involved in 5G trials and has plans for a rollout, but it was not the first to launch a nationwide network.
Option C: India's 5G services were launched much later, in October 2022.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain General Knowledge: History of 5G Technology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
5G technology is revolutionizing healthcare by enabling reliable and fast telemedicine, which is crucial for providing care to remote and underserved populations.
The low latency of 5G is critical for telesurgery, where a surgeon operates remotely using robotic arms, requiring instantaneous feedback.
High bandwidth allows for the quick transmission of large data files, such as MRI and CT scans, between facilities, facilitating faster diagnosis and collaboration among specialists.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: The question asks to identify the first country to launch a nationwide 5G network.
Analyze the keywords: 'World's first' and 'nationwide' are the crucial qualifiers.
Evaluate the options based on general knowledge of recent technological events.
Recall that South Korea was widely reported as the winner of the race to launch the first commercial nationwide 5G network.
Eliminate other options based on their known, later timelines for 5G adoption (Japan in 2020, India in 2022) or lack of a nationwide launch (Turkey).
Select the option that aligns with the factual timeline.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QMVhXiC7FMF1GQBtRsHcpg

Practise the full WCL Staff Nurse - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.