[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ] The government and the three major telecom companies have agreed to join forces in a nationwide effort to safeguard people’s livelihoods by upgrading their networks with next-generation technology to keep pace with the AI era and by reducing the burden of communication costs on the public in response to high inflation.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the morning of the 23rd that it held a meeting with the CEOs of the three major telecom companies at SKTelecom’s T Tower in Euljiro, Seoul, presided over by Bae Kyung-hoon, Minister of Science and ICT and Deputy Prime Minister. Organized as part of Deputy Prime Minister Bae’s on-site outreach to the telecom sector, this meeting—starting with SKTelecom(017670)—will be followed by visits to LG Uplus(032640) and KTCorporation(030200).

“Speed Is Key to Technological Advancement”… Urges Companies to Transform into AI Infrastructure

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In his opening remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Bae called for telecom companies to overhaul their business models and make bold investments. “Telecom companies must no longer remain mere providers of communication networks,” he emphasized. “They must transform into ‘AI infrastructure and platform companies’ that connect infrastructure—from the ground up—to daily life and industrial sites, ensuring AI operates continuously.”

He continued, “As three major mega-projects—AI data centers (AIDC), physical AI, and autonomous driving—gain momentum, next-generation networks have emerged as the core of the nation’s AI competitiveness.” He added, “Given that ‘speed’ is paramount in this fiercely competitive technological landscape, bold investment and transformation by the telecommunications industry are necessary to keep pace with technological advancements. The government will also spare no effort in providing full support for this.”

On that day, the three major telecom companies presented their respective roadmaps for future networks and AI development.

CEO Jeong Jae-heon said, “Thanks to the groundwork laid over the past year, we were able to establish a foundation for these three major mega-projects.”

CEO Jeong continued, “SKT will fulfill its role and responsibilities as a key pillar of the three mega-projects and strongly supports the push for reforms that improve people’s lives,” adding, “I expect today’s meeting to lead to meaningful dialogue and tangible results for the success of AI, networks, and the three mega-projects.”

Park Yoon-young, CEO of KTCorporation, emphasized the company’s commitment to leading the nation’s network infrastructure. “I strongly agree that securing future networks and AI infrastructure is essential,” Park said. “To address the rapidly growing global demand for data, we will proactively invest 1 trillion won in submarine cables to help Korea emerge as an Asian hub.”

He continued, “Based on actual demand for AI data centers (AIDC), we will supply an additional 1 GW of power and transform 3,500 KT offices nationwide into AI edge hubs to play a central role in physical AI demonstration projects,” adding, “We will also take the lead in implementing the government’s ‘AI for All’ policy to ensure that the AI gap does not translate into an economic gap.”

Hong Beom-sik, CEO of LG Uplus, highlighted the rapid deployment of infrastructure and the expansion of a proprietary model ecosystem.

CEO Hong emphasized, “AI competition has transcended corporate boundaries to become a matter of national importance; the three pillars—infrastructure, models, and services—must develop in a balanced manner.” He added, “We are preparing the Paju AIDC, currently under development, to be the largest facility on a single site, and we will ensure its smooth opening next year to establish it as South Korea’s premier reference facility.”

He added, “We will apply ‘ExaOne,’ LG Corp.’s proprietary foundation model, to on-site services to secure sovereign AI capabilities, and we will do our utmost to ensure this leads to services that bring value to the lives of the public.”

“Public-Private Consultative Body” Involving the Government and the Three Major Telecom Companies to Be Formed in August… Support for Regulatory Reform

The government is moving to improve regulations to promote next-generation investments by telecommunications companies. In August, a “public-private consultative body” involving the government and the three major telecom carriers will be formed to comprehensively review a package of measures for expanding network investment and improving regulations, with plans to announce the final results by the end of the year.

Measures to stabilize people’s livelihoods were also discussed in response to inflationary pressures caused by deteriorating external conditions and increased volatility in international oil prices.

The three major telecom companies agreed to finalize and announce “measures to enhance customer benefits for August and September” in July. They plan to expand membership and partnership discounts in areas closely related to daily life and provide temporary additional benefits under rate plans for young people and vulnerable groups facing significant financial burdens.

In addition, they agreed to work toward the mutually beneficial development of the telecommunications ecosystem by continuously improving wholesale rates for MVNO operators, discouraging the promotion of high-priced rate plans in the mobile phone distribution market, and expanding work opportunities for the information and communications construction industry.

It was confirmed that the agreements reached at the April roundtable—including the expansion of the Data Peace of Mind Option (QoS), the overhaul of senior citizen rate plans, the National Fire Agency’s priority transmission of emergency rescue communications (implemented in June), the launch of the CISO consultative body, and the upgrade of subway Wi-Fi to 5G—are being implemented without a hitch.

Deputy Prime Minister Bae stated, “I would like to thank the three major telecommunications companies for participating in nationwide efforts to stabilize people’s livelihoods and for investing in next-generation networks,” adding, “Let us work together—the government and the industry—to advance AI-native networks and build an ‘Irreplaceable Republic of Korea’ where all citizens can enjoy the benefits of AI.”