SK Telecom said on Tuesday it provided stable communications services during the cherry blossom festival that ran through April 7 by applying an AI-based core network control system.

SKT said 44.9 terabytes (TB) of mobile data were used last weekend alone at Seokchon Lake and Yeouido festival areas. That was about 1.5 times the previous weekend, an amount equivalent to sending about 8.98 million photos or streaming about 17,960 hours of video.

Traffic peaked on Saturday, April 4, when Seokchon Lake recorded 15.91 TB and Yeouido 7.3 TB. Yeouido saw more data use on Sunday, April 5, at 8.5 TB than on April 4. Among subscribers who attended the festival over the two days, those aged 50 and older accounted for the largest share at 31 percent. They were followed by people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, in that order.

Data use by age group was highest among people in their 20s at 29 percent, showing especially active use among younger people. The next biggest data users were those in their 30s, followed by those in their 40s and those aged 50 and older. The gender split was similar between men and women, and traffic by major apps ranked YouTube first, followed by Instagram, Naver and Facebook.

SKT said its proactive AI response system provided smooth service without communications disruptions even amid large crowds. The AI-based SPIDER system played a major role. Developed using SKT's AI platform, SPIDER integrates control of all core network equipment and automatically analyses alarm and statistical data.

The company said integrating monitoring systems that had been separated by different communications equipment sharply improved efficiency. It also strengthened network stability by automatically detecting anomalies using AI and automatically executing recommendations for swift response measures.

SKT said it provided stable communications services during the event by operating its recently commercialised AI-based network operating system A-One (Access All-in-One) alongside SPIDER. By operating the two systems together, it became possible to respond in advance to network load conditions and take immediate action through real-time monitoring.

Kyung-pyo Kang (강경표), head of core networks at SKT, said, "We will continue to work so that customers can experience the best quality communications services anytime and anywhere through autonomous networks based on SKT's differentiated AI network technology."