SK Telecom secures the foundation for 6G evolution by commercializing a core network with Ericsson through system lightweighting.

SK Telecom announced on the 21st that it has commercialized a core network incorporating the latest technologies including packet acceleration processing, path optimization, and multi-flow control for ultra-high-speed and large-capacity 5G services in partnership with Ericsson.

SKT stated that it has commercialized a new core network using a 'bare metal-based cloud native' approach, improving traffic processing efficiency by up to 50% compared to the existing physical-based core infrastructure.

'Bare metal-based cloud native' is a method that lightweights the system so that the operating system is not redundantly installed between hardware resources and virtual resources existing in the cloud.

It has the advantage of enabling rapid response to sudden traffic increases in industrial sites and tourism facilities, reducing engineer work time and allowing efficient handling of such situations.

The 'bare metal-based cloud native' approach enables not only flexible network management but also real-time recovery functionality, enabling rapid response to network congestion or failures, and significantly enhancing the speed of applying new applications to communication networks and service stability.

The 'bare metal-based cloud native' approach is suitable for various on-demand types of services and is expected to be widely utilized in constructing diverse media services including metaverse and B2B solutions led by smart factories.

Meanwhile, SKT and Ericsson have undergone staged development and verification of cloud native-based core networks since 2019, and since November of last year have conducted testing for commercial services through full-scale equipment deployment.

SKT views cloud native-based technology, the latest virtualization technology to be used as the fundamental structure of 6G core networks, as a stepping stone that leads from 5G advancement to 6G evolution, and pursues a strategy of proactive adoption to lead the evolution of future communication infrastructure.

Park Jong-gwan, head of infrastructure technology at SKT, stated, "Based on the commercialization of bare metal-based cloud native core networks, we have established a foundation for providing advanced ICT services more efficiently and reliably," and added, "SKT, aiming to become an AI service company, will continuously research, develop, and apply network technologies with the goal of growth in industry-specific services and successful commercialization."

Monica Zethzon, head of Ericsson's packet core solutions, explained, "It is significant that we have commercialized a bare metal-based cloud native core solution with SKT for the first time globally in the Korean market, which provides the highest level of 5G services," and stated, "Through Ericsson's next-generation core solution, we will continue to support the innovation ecosystem of global business."