SKT and Singtel prepare for 6G transition, agree to build next-gen telco networksSKT and Singtel prepare for 6G transition, agree to build next-gen telco networks

SKT and Singtel aim to make significant advances in next-generation communications technologies, including AI-powered wired and wireless infrastructure.

Gigi Onag, Senior Editor, APAC

July 8, 2024

2 Min Read
SK Telecom and Singtel sign memorandum of understanding
From left to right: Kang Jong-ryeol, head of ICT infra at SKT, and Tay Yeow Lian, managing director for networks at Singtel.(Source: SK Telecom)

SK Telecom (SKT) and Singtel have agreed to work together over the next two years to build next-generation telecom networks, the necessary building blocks for the transition to 6G.

The two Asian telcos said Monday they have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the use of AI and orchestration tools, while deepening expertise in network virtualization and other technologies.

"We are keen to capitalize on the myriad capabilities that this technology has to offer, especially in the areas of network slicing and the incorporation of AI. With SKT, we aim to not only enhance our customers' experience, but also drive industry innovation and help us prepare for the evolution to 6G," said Tay Yeow Lian, managing director for networks at Singtel, in a statement.

In the same statement, Kang Jong-ryeol, head of ICT Infra at SKT, said the collaboration between SKT and Singtel is an important first step "in shaping the future of the global telecommunications industry."

The two companies will create a white paper on their advances in areas such as virtualization, slicing and network evolution that can help other operators around the world take advantage of the capabilities of 5G and prepare for 6G.

Improve network performance with AI

Kang pointed out that by combining the strengths of SKT and Singtel, both companies aim to achieve efficient, high-performance network construction, enhance network stability and explore new network-based services.

"We will strive to make significant advancements in next-generation communication technologies, including AI-powered wired and wireless infrastructure," he added.

The two partners said they will develop differentiated and innovative approaches to enhance network capabilities, such as edge AI infrastructure, which uses edge computing to reduce the computational load concentrated in the cloud and combines AI solutions to perform AI inference.

This initiative is expected to not only improve connectivity but also provide customers with new AI service offerings. It should also improve the customer experience by enabling operators to restore services faster. 

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Asia

About the Author

Gigi Onag

Senior Editor, APAC, Light Reading

Gigi Onag is Senior Editor, APAC, Light Reading. She has been a technology journalist for more than 15 years, covering various aspects of enterprise IT across Asia-Pacific.

She started with regional IT publications under CMP Asia (now Informa), including Asia Computer Weekly, Intelligent Enterprise Asia and Network Computing Asia and Teledotcom Asia. This was followed by stints with Computerworld Hong Kong and sister publications FutureIoT and FutureCIO. She had contributed articles to South China Morning Post, TechTarget and PC Market among others.

She interspersed her career as a technology editor with a brief sojourn into public relations before returning to journalism, joining the editorial team of Mix Magazine, a MICE publication and its sister publication Business Traveller Asia Pacific.

Gigi is based in Hong Kong and is keen to delve deeper into the region’s wide wild world of telecoms.

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