Korean telecoms strengthen ties with global partners at MWC 2025

SK Telecom CEO Yoo Young-sang delivers a keynote address at the Global Telco AI Alliance roundtable at the MWC Barcelona trade show in Spain, Monday (local time). Courtesy of SK Telecom

Korean telecom companies are expanding their artificial intelligence (AI) ties with global partners at this year's MWC Barcelona tech trade show in efforts to position themselves at the forefront of the industrial race for AI.

According to SK Telecom, Tuesday, it hosted the Global Telco AI Alliance summit on the sidelines of the MWC in Spain's Barcelona to further strengthen AI collaboration among telecom companies.

The summit was attended by SK Telecom CEO Yoo Young-sang, Deutsche Telekom Chairman Tim Hoettges, e& Group CEO Hatem Dowidar, Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel Group International Digital Services CEO Anna Yip and SoftBank's Chief Information Security Officer Tadashi Iida.

During his keynote speech, Yoo said that the era of AI transformation is creating unprecedented opportunities for telecommunications companies and highlighted the importance of building abundant infrastructure for expanding AI services.

Dubbed the “AI Infrastructure Super Highway,” SK Telecom has been pursuing a medium-term strategy of establishing AI infrastructure easily accessible and convenient for everyone. Under the strategy, SK Telecom seeks to expand AI data centers, graphics processing units-as-a-service (GPUaaS) and edge AI across Korea.

GPUaaS provides GPU resources in the form of a service through the cloud, giving users access to high-performance computing power without purchasing expensive AI accelerating chips. Edge AI refers to the deployment of AI functions directly on end devices, rather than relying on centralized cloud servers.

“Along with Deutsche Telekom, e& Group, Singtel and SoftBank, SK Telecom has been making efforts to introduce AI into the telecommunication industry, and seeks to accelerate AI innovation by expanding our membership,” Yoo said. “The AI alliance of global telecom companies will further promote the practical application of AI.”

One day earlier, Yoo said that AI data centers will play the central role in the company’s strategy for profitable AI service, announcing the company’s plan to establish a 100-megawatt AI data center powered by 60,000 advanced GPUs.

SK Telecom also unveiled a modular AI data center model at the event. It is a modular product that can be assembled and deployed within three months, with the size of a cargo container. Yoo said that construction costs can be reduced by 70 percent, while power efficiency is doubled.

LG Uplus CEO Hong Bum-shik, center, poses with Google Cloud Global Revenue President Matt Renner, left, and Google Platforms and Ecosystems APAC Vice President Karen Teo after signing their partnership agreement at MWC Barcelona in Spain, Monday (local time). Courtesy of LG Uplus

Also at MWC, LG Uplus partnered with Google for enhancing functions of its ixi-O AI agent.

According to LG Uplus, it held a ceremony with Google to announce their partnership for strengthening AI competitiveness on the sidelines of the telecom show.

Through the partnership, LG Uplus plans to enhance functions of its AI call agent ixi-O by using Google Cloud’s Gemini AI model. Ixi-O will use Gemini to analyze call contexts more precisely, improving features such as context-based call summaries and recommended actions.

Ixi-O will also integrate Google Cloud's Vertex AI service to introduce features that allow users to instantly search for objects, situations or locations related to the call content.

“Through our collaboration with Google, we will introduce a differentiated service that enhances convenience while ensuring customers can use AI with confidence,” LG Uplus CEO Hong Bum-shik said. “Going forward, LG Uplus will lead the AI ecosystem in the global market by collaborating with various global companies.”

KT CEO Kim Young-shub, left, visits the company's booth at the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Monday (local time). Joint Press Corps

Meanwhile, KT, Korea's other major mobile carrier, showcased advanced 6G telecom technologies, powered by expanded coverage of satellite-based communication and quantum communication.

During a press briefing, KT said the importance of satellite communication will increase exponentially in the era of the 6G network, as the service range will expand from the ground to include maritime areas and the sky.

To this end, KT, the only satellite communication provider in Korea, plans to establish a 3D non-terrestrial network using geostationary satellites, low Earth orbit satellites and high-altitude platform stations.

Regarding quantum communication, KT said it plans to develop technologies that transmit data directly using quantum mechanics, an upgrade from existing quantum cryptography.

“We are preparing a 6G network that will not only drive digital innovation across daily life and various industries, but also contribute to enhancing the social responsibilities of communication services, such as disaster preparedness,” a KT official said.

“To realize this, satellite communication, quantum communication and AI technologies will be the key.”