SK Telecom Pivots to 'AI Native'
SK Telecom's CEO unveiled a new "AI Native" strategy at MWC26, committing to a major overhaul of its telecommunications systems and infrastructure to be centered on AI. The shift frames AI and customer value as the company's top two priorities for its next transformation.
This "AI Native" direction is the operational-level execution of SK Telecom's longer-term 6G strategy, detailed in its "ATHENA" white paper. The framework outlines a future network built on AI-native operations, zero-trust security, and cloud-native design, positioning the company's current AI overhaul as foundational for post-2030 commercialization. The strategy is organized around two parallel tracks: "AI for Network" focuses on using AI for autonomous network optimization and real-time analytics, while "Network for AI" aims to re-architect the infrastructure itself to efficiently support emerging AI services and workloads. SKT is actively contributing this vision to global standards bodies, including 3GPP, ITU, and the O-RAN Alliance. To drive this transformation, the company is undertaking a sweeping overhaul of its internal IT, sales, and billing systems, backed by a planned investment of trillions of won. It is also consolidating its various AI businesses and R&D into a single in-house company (CIC) to accelerate execution and innovation. This domestic strategy is supported by a web of international alliances. SKT has established partnerships with OpenAI for B2C services, Anthropic for developing a telco-specific LLM, and Nvidia for GPU infrastructure. These collaborations are central to SKT's dual approach of strengthening its internal capabilities while cooperating with global AI leaders. A core part of the infrastructure plan involves expanding its AI Data Center (AIDC) capacity, with the goal of positioning South Korea as a primary AI hub in Asia. The flagship Ulsan AIDC is being developed to a 1GW scale, and the company is deploying thousands of Nvidia Blackwell GPUs to power a Manufacturing AI Cloud for subsidiaries like SK Hynix. The company's engagement in standards extends to the recently formed AI-RAN Alliance, where SK Telecom has secured a board seat. At MWC26, the company is demonstrating specific technologies aligned with this standards work, including AI agents for network management and on-device AI for antenna optimization.
