[Barcelona, Spain = DigitalToday reporter Jin-ho Lee] KT laid out its blueprint for the next-generation 6G network era. KT is working to build an integrated infrastructure with an organically linked structure by combining its technology with operational know-how.

Lee Jong-sik (이종식), head of KT's Future Network Research Institute, announced the 6G vision premised on the AI era and the direction of core technologies to realise it at an MWC26 press briefing held in Barcelona, Spain on March 2 local time.

◆ 'Uninterrupted 6G' through 3D coverage across land, sea and air

KT simultaneously set out 'AI for network' to operate AI networks intelligently and 'network for AI' to guarantee the ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability performance required by AI services as its vision for the coming 6G era.

In concrete terms, it presented hyper-connectivity, ultra-low latency, quantum-safe, AI-native, autonomous networks and semantic-centric transmission as key 6G technologies. Lee said, "The goal is to secure 100 percent communications coverage and guarantee a network that never drops 100 percent of the time."

KT is pushing to secure 3D coverage across land, sea and air. It is seeking to build a network that covers all areas, including spaces that still have dead zones. To do this, it will combine non-terrestrial networks and terrestrial networks, and implement uninterrupted 6G through 'supercell' technology that can quickly restore communications even in disaster situations.

Lee said, "To secure coverage, we are also reviewing ways to secure high-frequency bands or repurpose existing frequency bands." KT is also leaving open the possibility of cooperation with existing low-Earth orbit satellite operators such as Starlink.

◆ Expanding the utility of communications through stronger security and autonomous networks

Security and the operating structure are also key pillars in the 6G era. KT decided to apply its in-house quantum-safe technology to 6G networks to establish a secure security system even when quantum computers are commercialised. Lee said it plans to embed security across the entire network by applying next-generation security technologies such as quantum key distribution, AI-based intrusion detection and homomorphic encryption.

KT will design 6G services with an AI-native network. It will also shift network operations to an autonomous network model. It is pursuing end-to-end automation across design, construction and control by combining a network foundation model based on a network-specialised large language model, digital twins and AI agents.

Lee said the 6G KT presented aims for an intelligent infrastructure that combines networks and AI. He said it will pursue innovation in customer experience that customers can actually feel, innovation in cost structure that enables sustainable growth as a telecoms operator, and the creation of new market opportunities.