Korean Telecom Giants Showcase AI Innovations at MWC 2025

Korean telecoms strengthen ties with global partners

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 By Nam Hyun-woo 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."

Telecoms to showcase AI use cases at MWC 2025

A worker walks past the entrance of Fira Barcelona, the venue for Mobile World Congress, the world's largest connectivity event, in Barcelona on Thursday. AFP-Yonhap By Nam Hyun-woo Korean telecom companies are set to showcase their latest technology and artificial intelligence (AI) use cases at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, with a focus on how to profit in the rapidly growing AI industry. MWC 2025 will take place in Barcelona from Monday to Thursday under the theme "Converge, Connect, and Create." More than 100,000 attendees are expected, with over 2,700 exhibitors and 1,200 speakers ready to showcase their latest updates in communication technologies. From Korea, the top three mobile carriers -- SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus -- will participate in the show with AI technologies, while device and chip giants such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix will also be involved. An artist's impression of SK Telecom's booth at Mobile World Congress 2025 / Courtesy of SK Telecom SK Telecom will showcase a range of technologies required for AI data center businesses, including energy, operations, memory and securities. Among them, the telecom company will showcase technologies for optimally sourcing power from distributed energy sources and effectively managing power distribution with AI models. It will also demonstrate various liquid cooling methods to regulate the temperature of data centers, as well as liquid insulation technologies for energy storage systems. During the show, SK Telecom will also demonstrate its AI-powered radio access network station (AI-RAN) technology, which integrates GPUs and other chipsets to enable general RAN stations to deliver both telecommunications and AI services simultaneously. Along with SK Telecom, SK Group affiliates will also showcase their AI supply chain hardware products, including SK Hynix's high-bandwidth memory 3e, solid-state drives for data centers, SKC's glass substrates and Rebellion's neural processing unit. An artist's impression of KT's booth at Mobile World Congress 2025 / Courtesy of KT KT will design its booth to showcase real-world use cases of its AI solutions that assist users in everyday life. In an office-themed zone, KT will showcase a scene of an AI agent enhancing work efficiency. During the demonstration, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the agent's various features, including wireless market competition analysis, efficient GPU allocation, carbon emission tracking and knowledge recommendations. In a stadium-themed zone, KT's affiliate, KT DS, will showcase an AI stadium announcer capable of real-time translations. A lab-themed zone will feature a demonstration of multi-modal communication, where AI understands intent and context to provide multisensory communication. Technologies for creating safer streets will also be showcased at KT's booth. The company will present EL SAR, a 5G precision positioning technology, along with various security features, such as smishing (a type of phishing attack conducted through text messages) and spam-blocking solutions. Along with their own booths, SKT and KT will set up dedicated zones for their partner companies to showcase AI technologies and collaboration cases. An artist's impression of LG Uplus' booth at Mobile World Congress 2025 / Courtesy of LG Uplus At this year's MWC, LG Uplus will set up its standalone booth for the first time and present its AI solutions, highlighted by its proprietary generative AI model, ixi-GEN. During MWC 2025, Ixi-Gen will participate in the Gen AI Red Team Challenge, an interactive competition where participants conduct adversarial testing on target models. Additionally, the company will present post-quantum cryptography, which ensures security even in the era of quantum computing; Anti-Deep Voice, a solution that detects deepfake voices; and a next-generation liquid cooling system for AI data centers. During MWC 2025, LG Uplus will also team up with NC AI, an AI spin-off of the Korean gaming giant NCSOFT. The two companies will set up a demo booth where visitors can create lifelike game characters using their own faces and experience the AI characters in a game scenario. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is expected to set up a booth at the show but is expected to keep it relatively low key. Among its exhibitions, the highlight is expected to be Project Moohan XR Glass, which was first unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event in January. Samsung Display will showcase OLED displays for IT applications, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Samsung Electronics' semiconductor division, and SK hynix will each open private booths for their corporate clients.

Korean telcos set to showcase AI techs at upcoming MWC 2025

The birdeye view of SK Telecom's exhibition booth is seen, set for the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Courtesy of SK Telecom Korea's three major mobile carriers are set to bring their latest artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to the upcoming global mobile technology trade fair in Spain next month, the companies said Monday. The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 will kick off in Barcelona next Monday for a four-day run, featuring cutting-edge innovations from global tech leaders. It is considered one of the world's top three annual tech events, along with the CES in the United States and the IFA in Germany. At the event, local industry leader SK Telecom plans to operate a 990-square-meter booth at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the event's main venue, showcasing its advanced AI data center technologies. Its exhibition will focus on AI data center solutions, featuring energy, AI, operations and security, as well as solutions for graphic processing units (GPUs) and real-time monitoring technology for data center infrastructure. Its chipmaking affiliate SK hynix will also participate in the annual tech show, displaying its latest AI chips and solid-state drives (SSDs) for data centers. KT, which recently announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft, will highlight its AI innovations at a specially designed pavilion, themed "K-STREET." Divided into seven sections, the exhibit will feature AI-powered business solutions, real-time translation technologies and security advancements. In the office section, inspired by KT's newly built headquarters in downtown Seoul, the company will introduce its AI agent solutions. At the stadium space, visitors will experience an AI sports announcer demonstrating KT's real-time translation capabilities. Various security technologies, including EL SAR, KT's 5G-based precise positioning technology, and anti-smishing and spam-blocking technologies, will be also unveiled. For the first time, LG Uplus will join MWC 2025, presenting its generative AI model, ixi-Gen, and personal AI agent, ixi-O. Samsung Electronics will also have a booth at the annual event, where it will showcase its AI chips designed for mobile and mobility applications to a global audience. (Yonhap)

Gov't to set up 'Korean pavilion' at MWC 2025 to fully support Korean firms

The Korean pavilion is set up during the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona in this undated file photo, Spain. Courtesy of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency The Korean government said Wednesday it will operate a Korean pavilion that highlights artificial intelligence (AI) and fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks at the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, a move also aimed at providing "full support" to Korean companies taking part in the annual event. The pavilion, co-organized by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, better known as KOTRA, will feature a record 147 Korean companies and nine institutions, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The pavilion will showcase innovations in 5G telecommunications equipment, the Internet of Things (IoT), generative AI and integrated technologies. Exhibits will feature Eucast's wireless access solutions and C4Line's gigabit Wi-Fi extender. Advanced materials firm CIT will present its award-winning transparent antenna from CES 2025, along with Wata AI's robotics-powered warehouse management platform, also awarded at CES 2025. KOTRA said it has attracted more than 50 buyers and investors from 14 countries, including Britain, Poland and the Czech Republic, through its regional trade offices to organize on-site consultations with participating companies during MWC 2025. MWC 2025 will kick off in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday (local time) for a four-day run, featuring cutting-edge innovations from global tech leaders. It is considered one of the world's top three annual tech events, along with the CES in the United States and the IFA in Germany. (Yonhap)