SK Telecom announced that it recorded consolidated revenue of 4.4427 trillion won, operating profit of 392.4 billion won, and net income of 793 billion won for the third quarter of 2017 based on K-IFRS consolidated financial statements.

Revenue increased 4.7% year-over-year, driven by growth in wireless subscribers and major subsidiaries including SK Broadband and SK Planet. Operating profit declined 7.5% year-over-year due to increased marketing expenses and depreciation. Net income rose 146.2% year-over-year, influenced by improved equity method earnings from SK Hynix.

As of the end of Q3, SK Telecom's total subscribers reached 30.16 million, an increase of 705,000 compared to the same period last year, with LTE subscribers at 22.57 million, representing 74.8% of total subscribers.

SK Telecom's major consolidated subsidiaries are showing improving performance trends.

SK Broadband recorded revenue of 760.2 billion won, a 1.2% year-over-year increase, driven by net IPTV subscriber growth and increased paid content sales, achieving operating profit of 29.8 billion won. Additionally, the mobile media platform Oksusu added 630,000 subscribers in Q3, securing a total of 8.11 million subscribers, demonstrating growth in the media sector.

SK Planet recorded revenue of 285.1 billion won, a 5.8% year-over-year increase, bolstered by growth in 11Street. Notably, 11Street achieved 26% revenue growth year-over-year through efficient marketing. Additionally, SK Hynix recorded its highest quarterly performance, contributing to increased consolidated net income.

SK Telecom is strengthening its growth foundation in new business areas including AI, IoT, and autonomous driving.

First, SK Telecom integrated its AI platform NUGU into T Map and Kids Phone to enhance customer convenience, while accumulating more voice data. SK Telecom plans to advance voice recognition performance through accumulated data and introduce customized products and services to customers. Additionally, NUGU will be continuously linked with services SK Telecom possesses, including mobile communications, media, IoT, and commerce.

In the IoT sector, SK Telecom has partnered with approximately 30 construction companies and applied its smart home system to 13,000 households. Furthermore, SK Telecom is expanding its IoT ecosystem by integrating over 350 home appliances from 65 manufacturers with its smart home system.

Additionally, SK Telecom is jointly developing autonomous driving technology with domestic and international partners including NVIDIA. Notably, in September, SK Telecom successfully conducted autonomous vehicle test runs on the Gyeongbu Expressway section from Meeting Plaza to Suwon Singal interchange, establishing a foundation to advance core autonomous driving technologies such as 3D HD mapping and V2X.

SK Telecom's Head of Strategic Planning Ryu Young-sang stated, "Although challenging circumstances surrounding the communications market make it difficult to maintain growth momentum, we will strengthen competitiveness in key business areas to minimize negative impacts," adding, "In particular, we will secure mid-to-long-term growth engines in new business areas including AI, IoT, autonomous driving, and media."