[E-Daily Reporter Han Kwangbeom ] On the 27th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a launch meeting in Seoul for the “Public-Private Advisory Council to Promote Network Investment in the AI Era” together with the three major mobile carriers (SKTelecom(017670), KTCorporation(030200), LG Uplus(032640)).

This consultative body is a follow-up measure to the meeting held last July between the Deputy Prime Minister of MSIT and the CEOs of the three mobile carriers. It is composed of the Director General of the Information Security and Network Policy Bureau at MSIT, the heads of the network divisions at the three carriers, the Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI), the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI).

The government and the telecommunications industry shared data on capital expenditures (CAPEX), which have been steadily declining from 9.6 trillion won in 2019 to 8.2 trillion won in 2021, 7.6 trillion won in 2023, and 6.02 trillion won in 2025. Accordingly, they discussed the adoption of next-generation technologies—such as AI-based wireless networks (AI-RAN) and 6G—and investment strategies to address the increase in data throughput resulting from the proliferation of AI services.

In addition, they agreed to promote innovation in telecommunications services through regulatory rationalization; review government budget projects and tax incentive measures—including initial pilot projects to stimulate investment; and pursue a stable and gradual transition of legacy networks, such as 3G, while ensuring user protection. The government plans to formulate and announce a comprehensive plan for investment in next-generation telecommunications networks and regulatory improvements by the end of the year, following working-level consultations.

The meeting also included a review of the current status of 5G Standalone (SA) commercialization, which is being pursued with a target date of December of this year. Telecommunications carriers are currently expanding their 5G core networks and conducting terminal interoperability testing, while continuing to demonstrate the technology—such as by providing a customized dedicated network using network slicing technology to staff at World Cup street cheering events.

The government plans to support the widespread adoption of 5G Standalone (SA)-compatible devices and revise the net neutrality guidelines, focusing on criteria for priority transmission—such as emergency rescue communications—and special services. The revised guidelines are scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter. Additionally, the government will overhaul the existing communication quality evaluation system—which primarily focuses on download speeds—to comprehensively reflect upload speeds, transmission latency, network slicing quality, and Quality of Experience (QoE).

Choi Woo-hyuk, Director General of the Information Security and Network Policy Bureau, emphasized, “The foundation of national competitiveness in the AI era lies in the intelligent wired and wireless communication networks that support it,” adding, “The government and telecommunications carriers will collaborate to boldly remove regulatory and tax barriers that hinder investment in communication networks and create a virtuous cycle for investment in next-generation communication networks.”