[Edaily Reporter Yun Junghoon ]LG Uplus(032640)achieved its highest-ever quarterly operating profit in the second quarter of this year, driven by strong growth and cost efficiency in its corporate infrastructure segment, including AI data centers (AIDC).

LG Uplus announced on the 6th that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter of 2026 was 344.5 billion won, a 13.1% increase compared to the same period last year.

During the same period, operating revenue (sales) fell 3.9% to 3.6949 trillion won due to factors such as a decline in handset sales; however, service revenue—which reflects the company’s core business competitiveness—rose 2.0% to 3.0765 trillion won. The operating profit margin relative to service revenue rose 1.1 percentage points year-over-year to 11.2%.

Net income rose 0.3% to 217.7 billion won, and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), which indicates cash-generating capacity, increased 5.9% to 1.0348 trillion won.

AIDC Revenue Jumps 28.9%… Driving Corporate Infrastructure Performance

These strong results were driven by growth in the Enterprise Infrastructure division, led by AIDC. Second-quarter revenue for the Enterprise Infrastructure division reached 464.4 billion won, an 8.6% increase from the same period last year.

In particular, AIDC business revenue surged 28.9% year-over-year to 124.1 billion won, driven by increased demand for colocation (server hosting), establishing itself as a key growth engine. LG Uplus is currently constructing the 200MW-class Paju AI Data Center—the largest in the Seoul metropolitan area—and plans to open the first data center building in the first half of next year. The company is also expanding its DBO (Design, Build, Operate) business and establishing regional hubs.

Revenue in the solutions segment—which includes AICC (AI Contact Center) and smart mobility—rose 6.8% to 134.6 billion won, driven by strong performance in relay messaging, while corporate line revenue increased 0.2% to 205.7 billion won.

Mobile and Smart Home Show ‘Steady Growth’… 5G Penetration Rate Nears 85%

Driven by net growth in subscriber lines, the mobile segment generated revenue of 1.6602 trillion won, a 0.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Mobile service revenue, excluding access revenue, rose 1.2% to 1.5959 trillion won.

The total number of mobile subscriber lines reached approximately 31,467,000, a 5.2% increase year-over-year, with a net increase of about 536,000 in the second quarter alone. The number of 5G handset subscribers rose by 6.9% to 9,548,000, expanding the 5G penetration rate among all handset subscribers to 84.9%.

Revenue in the Smart Home segment reached 663.8 billion won, a 4.3% increase year-over-year, driven by growth in IPTV and ultra-high-speed internet subscribers. Ultra-high-speed internet revenue rose 7.6% to 325.1 billion won, fueled by demand for Giga Internet, while IPTV revenue increased 2.1% to 337.7 billion won.

90 billion won in share buybacks and an interim dividend of 270 won… Strengthening shareholder returns

LG Uplus plans to pursue both future growth and enhanced shareholder value. Yeo Myeong-hee, LG Uplus’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO), emphasized, “We will turn the changes brought about by the spread of AI into growth opportunities and enhance operational efficiency and profitability through company-wide AX (AI Transformation).” She added, “We will raise corporate value while maintaining a balance between financial soundness and shareholder returns.”

The company will also continue its shareholder return policy. On the 29th of last month, LG Uplus decided to purchase an additional 90 billion won worth of treasury stock and plans to enhance shareholder value through stock buybacks and cancellations.

The interim dividend for this year has been set at 270 won per share, an increase of approximately 8% compared to the previous year. The record date for the interim dividend is August 13, and the dividend will be paid on August 28.