SKT is expanding network technology cooperation with Singtel, a member of the Global Telco AI Alliance.

SKT announced on the 8th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel for cooperation on next-generation telecommunications network technology. SKT's strategy is to lead service and technology innovation in mobile networks in the global market through multifaceted network technology cooperation with Singtel.

SKT and Singtel are founding members of the 'Global Telco AI Alliance,' an AI alliance of major global telecommunications companies. Launched last November, the Telco AI Alliance is an alliance of global telecommunications companies including Deutsche Telekom, E&, Singtel, and SoftBank. Its core focus is on the joint development of Telco LLM and cooperation in AI-related businesses.

This MOU is an extension of the Telco AI Alliance activities, with the goal of strengthening its own AI competitiveness and building a global AI ecosystem by combining telecommunications and AI.

The two companies announced that they will enhance customer experience and jointly improve network stability and efficiency based on their 4G and 5G technology know-how. To this end, the two companies plan to pursue technical discussions and personnel exchanges in various commercial network fields, including mobile communication network engineering, construction, operation, and solutions.

In addition, starting with technology exchanges such as the application of edge AI infrastructure and research on core network operation technology for service differentiation, strategies for the evolution of 5G wired and wireless mobile communication networks including network slicing, development of 6G application cases, and construction of efficient networks from an ESG perspective, the scope of cooperation is planned to expand to joint development and research.

In particular, the two companies will jointly pursue technology research related to edge AI infrastructure and further concretize plans for providing AI services resulting from this.

Kang Jong-ryeol, SKT’s Chief Investment Officer (CSPO) for ICT Infra, said, “The collaboration between SKT and Singtel is an important first step in building the future of the global telecommunications industry together,” adding, “By combining the strengths of both companies, we will achieve results in building efficient, high-performance networks, providing stable services, discovering new network-based services, as well as developing next-generation telecommunications technologies such as AI wired and wireless infrastructure.”

Tay Yeow Lian, Managing Director of Network at Singtel, said, “As a leading company in 5G technology, we will explore the commercialization potential of various technologies, including network slicing and the introduction of AI infrastructure,” adding, “We will pursue technological cooperation with SKT to not only enhance customer experience but also prepare for industry innovation and evolution to 6G.”