What Has Changed
A smart office built on a private 5G network has been established at Hana Financial Group’s Cheongna headquarters and is set to begin operating. The main change is a shift from a work environment centered on wired connections and fixed desks to one that lets employees work as they move between spaces. This directly affects employees working in Cheongna. It is not an announcement of changes to financial services for customers. Source
The key point for eligible employees is that a supported device is required. According to the announcement, employees can use the same work environment at office desks, in meeting rooms, and in collaboration spaces with laptops and tablets that support the private 5G network. That does not mean every personal device will work or that the same connection is available outside the building. Source
Who Is Covered
The announced project covers Hana Financial Group’s Cheongna headquarters, 10 affiliates, and approximately 3,000 employees. The private network covers work and shared areas across 16 floors of the headquarters, from basement level 1 through the 15th floor above ground. The group said at the time of the announcement that it was relocating to Cheongna in phases. The figure of approximately 3,000 employees describes the announced project’s scope; it does not mean everyone had completed the move and begun using the devices at the same time. Source
Why Moving Between Spaces Should Be Easier
Previously, the workspace was organized around wired connections and assigned desks. Under the new setup, employees with supported laptops or tablets can move from an office desk to a meeting room or collaboration space and continue using the same work environment. For users, the practical change is less dependence on a particular connection or desk when changing work locations, rather than the name of the new communications technology. Source
The company expects to reduce the burden of rewiring and managing wired resources when rearranging desks, while improving collaboration and use of space. These are the company’s expected benefits, however. The announcement provides no performance figures showing how much wiring costs have fallen or how much work efficiency has improved. Source
How Are Work Networks and Security Set Up?
More flexible seating does not mean the affiliates share one undifferentiated work network. According to the announcement, network slicing and physical network separation provide each affiliate with an independent work network. It also says the setup uses security USIM authentication, encryption of the 5G wireless link and subscriber information, a firewall, DDoS protections, and access controls. This describes the announced security measures; it is not a guarantee that a security incident cannot occur. Source
What to Check Now and Watch Next
Employees working in Cheongna should first check whether their workspace is within the covered area and whether their work laptop or tablet supports the private network. The announced coverage extends from basement level 1 through the 15th floor above ground at the Cheongna headquarters, and access depends on a supported device. It is also worth noting that each affiliate has an independent work network. Source
Hana Financial TI participated in the project, and Samsung Electronics supplied the enterprise core and radio solutions for the private 5G network. SK Telecom said it led the project and was responsible for building and operating the network. SK Telecom describes it as a “first for the financial sector,” but the materials provided do not allow that claim to be independently verified against other financial-sector projects. Source
According to the announcement, a centralized management system monitors usage and outages together. The network was also designed with potential integration with smart-building systems, intelligent access control, AI CCTV, mobile employee IDs, and AI services for work in mind. No specific implementation timeline has been provided for AI service integration or expanded coverage. For now, the change is best understood as an update to connectivity and how employees use the Cheongna workspace; any additional services will depend on future announcements of actual deployment. Source