SK Telecom outlines AI-telecom convergence vision for 6G.

Seoul, South Korea - SK Telecom (SKM.NYSE) released a white paper detailing plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into 6G telecommunications infrastructure.

The paper proposes "Telco Edge AI" infrastructure to simultaneously provide real-time data processing and AI services. 

SK Telecom expects this approach to address the global mobile communications AI market, which is projected to reach $20 billion by 2030, up from $2 billion in 2022.

The company aims to target the wireless access network equipment market, which is estimated to be $36 billion by 2024 and comprises 75% of the $48 billion global mobile communication network equipment market.

SK Telecom plans to leverage existing infrastructure for AI deployment. 

The white paper outlines three key areas: co-location, which utilizes unused telco infrastructure space; AI-Server, which places AI servers closer to customers; and AI-RAN, which integrates AI computing with radio access network functions.

In February 2022, SK Telecom announced research results on 5G virtualized base stations. 

By November 2023, the company verified improvements in cell capacity and power consumption of new RAN-specific accelerator-based virtualized base stations compared to existing ones.

The white paper details key technologies for development, including core network optimization. 

SK Telecom reports reducing network function communication latency by up to 70% through its "Inline Service Mesh" technology.

SK Telecom is developing technologies for high-capacity, lossless transmission between distributed AI data centers for transport networks. 

The company also researches AI splitter technology to optimize workload distribution between on-device, edge, and cloud AI resources.

SK Telecom emphasizes the need for global ecosystem partnerships and new business models to transition to AI-integrated 6G infrastructure successfully. 

The company participates in national projects for 6G core technology development (2021-2025,  KRW 191.7 billion funding) and next-generation network technology development (2024-2028, KRW 440.7 billion funding).