[Barcelona, Spain = DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] SK Telecom will expand the scope of its artificial intelligence (AI) alliance with global telecom operators on the back of MWC26. It will strengthen cooperation in key areas including AI data centres (DC), its own AI model and next-generation networks, and focus on presenting a new vision for telecom operators in the AI era.

On March 3, SKT said CEO Jung Jae-heon (정재헌) has held successive meetings with executives of major global telecom operators at MWC26 in Barcelona since March 2 (local time) to discuss ways to cooperate in key areas including AI DC, AI models and AI RAN.

AI DC conference held; CEO Jung delivers keynote

SKT held a global AI DC conference on March 2 under the theme, "Redesigning telecom infrastructure in the AI transition." Attendees included Jung; Seok-geun Jung (정석근), head of SKT's AI CIC; Bill Chang, CEO of Singtel Digital InfraCo; Sabri Albreiky, chief technology officer of e& International; and Tadao Yanase, chief business development officer of NTT.

In his keynote speech, Jung said, "Now that AI has become the new standard, the role of telecom operators must evolve." He said telecom operators must go beyond delivering data quickly and safely and become designers and principals of AI infrastructure.

He said the assets and operational know-how held by telecom operators are an important key to commercialising 'local AI'. He also stressed that telecom operators need to consider how to respond to future market changes as they compete and cooperate with big tech at the same time.

SKT introduced its AI DC infrastructure that brings together SK Group capabilities, its proprietary AI foundation model 'A.X K1', and a 'sovereign AI package' that provides integrated industrial and enterprise AI services. SKT's goal is to accelerate business innovation while protecting a country's AI sovereignty.

The discussion session addressed AI DC technology innovation, regulatory responses and execution strategies. Participants agreed that joint responses among telecom operators are needed because AI DC is an advanced infrastructure that requires large-scale power, high-performance equipment and ultra-high-speed networks at the same time.

Building an AI cooperation belt linking Asia, the Middle East and Europe

Jung also held a number of one-on-one business meetings, focusing on expanding global AI partnerships. He met e& Group CEO Hatem Dowidar and chief strategy officer Harrison Lung and agreed to continue cooperation on expanding AI infrastructure.

Jung will meet on March 3 (local time) with Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange Group, a leading European telecom operator, and Bruno Zerbib, chief technology and innovation officer. Orange has 340,000,000 subscribers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It will be the first official meeting between the CEOs of the two companies.

SKT will also further solidify its AI alliance with Deutsche Telekom, a key partner in Europe. Jung plans to meet Chairman Tim Hoettges and share SKT's AI DC buildout plans and operational capabilities, its experience developing A.X K1 and AI RAN technology, while exploring joint business opportunities.

Jung said, "Competitiveness in the AI era depends not only on technology but on how infrastructure is designed and connected." He said, "We will build a reliable AI infrastructure and services ecosystem with global telecom operators."