With SK Telecom's drone and AI technology, remote safety inspections will be possible even from a height of 75 meters.

SK Telecom announced on the 31st that it has developed a system to inspect the safety of communication towers using drones and image analysis AI, and has applied it to the field. SKT developed its own image analysis AI model to check for loose bolts and nuts on communication towers and utilized it for drone photography.

Communication towers with transmitting and receiving antennas installed nationwide require periodic maintenance to prevent accidents caused by aging, and despite being dangerous zones reaching heights of up to 75 meters, visual inspections have been carried out by having people climb up to check their condition.

SKT stated that through the intelligentization of safety inspections, they were able to not only prevent accidents caused by the aging of communication towers but also ensure safety by utilizing drones, which eliminated the need for inspectors to climb the towers in person.

In addition, by utilizing an AI model for defect detection in the analysis of drone footage, the time required for conventional visual inspection was reduced by up to 95%.

SKT plans to add inspection items such as wind pressure safety and tilt, and further enhance its image analysis AI.

Meanwhile, SKT is selecting and pursuing projects in the fields of anomaly detection, operations, engineering, and optimization to advance AI in its telecommunications networks. Including this case, we developed an AI-based manhole safety management solution last year and applied it to manholes near major telecommunications facilities.

Park Myung-soon, Head of Infrastructure DT at SKT, stated, “By utilizing drones and AI in this communication tower safety inspection to effectively complement the visual inspection method, we have laid the foundation for ensuring the safety of inspectors.” She added, “Going forward, we will continue to pursue innovation initiatives across all business operations to evolve into an AI communication network, and we will consistently cultivate field personnel into experts capable of AI development to secure the capabilities for the continuous advancement of AI.”