SK Telecom will use AI-based network operations and monitoring technology to intensively manage communications quality during the summer holiday season.

SKT said on Wednesday it will run a "summer holiday special communications situation room" from July 20 to Aug. 31.

SKT will carry out pre-checks and real-time monitoring focused on sections and multi-use facilities where traffic is expected to surge as travel increases during the holiday season. It will strengthen its response system so users can access communications services smoothly while travelling or at their holiday destinations.

It will use its in-house network management solutions, A-One and Spider, to forecast traffic and detect early signs of anomalies. A-One forecasts traffic based on coverage analysis and past event data, and monitors communications quality linked with AI agents. Spider detects signs of anomalies and suggests response measures by integrating and analysing alarms and statistical data from core network equipment.

SKT will inspect all areas of its network, including core, transmission, wireless, roaming and disaster response, and conduct real-time monitoring with specialised staff from subsidiaries such as SK Broadband and SK O&S as well as partner companies. It selected about 1,100 locations nationwide, including transport hubs such as expressways, national highways, airports, KTX and terminals, and theme areas such as beaches and recreation forests, and will optimise network capacity and strengthen on-site inspections.

It will also intensively manage communications quality at major festival sites nationwide, including water festivals and local events. It will deploy mobile base stations and temporary communications facilities at venues expected to draw crowds, and will conduct pre-network checks alongside real-time monitoring on the day of events.

It will also prepare for international roaming demand as overseas departures increase. It expanded the capacity of its international roaming signal processing system and key relay sections in advance, as overseas roaming users are expected to rise by up to 20 percent from last month.

It also completed pre-inspections of about 4,900 communications facilities nationwide to prepare for disasters such as typhoons, heavy rain and heat waves. If disaster damage occurs, it will maintain monitoring and on-site response systems so it can immediately deploy emergency recovery personnel and equipment, and will also pursue on-site support for disaster-hit areas.

Bok Jae-won (복재원), head of network operations at SKT, said the company will use AI-based traffic forecasts and network monitoring to look ahead for possible holiday congestion and respond swiftly. He said it will make thorough preparations so communications services can be used smoothly anytime and anywhere.