What's Happening?
SK Telecom (SKT) is advancing its role as a developer of AI data centers (AIDCs) by targeting international markets through strategic global partnerships. Jung Jaihun, the newly appointed CEO of SKT, outlined
this vision during a keynote speech at the SK AI Summit in Seoul. The company plans to commercialize an AIDC solution package that integrates four key AI infrastructure technologies, including out-rack solutions for server facilities management, clustering solutions for server interconnection optimization, in-rack solutions for server efficiency enhancement, and energy solutions for power and thermal management efficiency. SK Telecom has laid the groundwork for this evolution through a partnership with AWS to build an AI data center in Ulsan, South Korea, which will host the country's largest GPU cluster. Additionally, SKT is investing in expanding the power capacity of its Ulsan AI data center to 1GW and establishing more AIDCs across South Korea.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of SK Telecom into the global AI data center market signifies a strategic shift that could enhance South Korea's position as a leading AI infrastructure hub in Asia. By collaborating with global leaders like AWS and Nvidia, SKT aims to drive technological innovations in edge AI and AI-RAN, which are expected to bolster South Korea's manufacturing competitiveness. The development of AIDCs is crucial for supporting the growing demand for AI services and infrastructure, potentially transforming industries such as manufacturing through innovations like digital twins and AI-powered robotics. This move also positions SK Telecom to capitalize on the increasing global demand for AI infrastructure, potentially leading to significant economic growth and technological advancements.
What's Next?
SK Telecom plans to continue its expansion by establishing an AI data center in Vietnam, which will utilize a liquefied natural gas power plant for stable power supply and cold energy for cooling systems. This project marks SKT's entry into the Southeast Asian market, further extending its global reach. The company is also set to acquire over 2,000 Nvidia RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell GPUs to build a manufacturing AI cloud, which will transform SK Group's manufacturing operations. SK Telecom's AI business is expected to grow, with plans to invest KRW5 trillion ($3.5 billion) over the next five years in reorganizing its AI operations into a single group called AI CIC (Company in Company).
Beyond the Headlines
The strategic partnerships and technological advancements pursued by SK Telecom could have broader implications for the global AI industry. By integrating AI into telecom infrastructure, SKT is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between AIDC and on-device AI, potentially leading to new intelligent telecom technologies. This could redefine network infrastructure and enhance the capabilities of AI services worldwide. Additionally, SK Telecom's focus on energy-efficient solutions for data centers aligns with global sustainability goals, potentially setting new standards for environmentally responsible AI infrastructure development.
