SKTelecom(017670)[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] SKTelecom’s “air,” a mobile service exclusively for unlocked phones, has surpassed 200,000 subscribers since its launch. To celebrate this milestone, SKTelecom is offering one year of free YouTube Premium Lite to new “air X” subscribers.

SKTelecom announced that for a six-month period from the 1st through February 28, 2027, it will provide YouTube Premium Lite free of charge for one year to customers who sign up for the “Air X” plan via the official Air app or website after service activation.

‘Air’ is a telecommunications service designed for customers using unlocked smartphones. SKTelecom has simplified the complex structure of its telecommunications plans and tailored the service to focus on essential features and benefits.

The “Air X” plan, which is the focus of this promotion, offers unlimited data for 58,000 won per month. New subscribers during the promotion period will receive one year of free YouTube Premium Lite along with Bonus Pack points.

Bonus Pack points can be used to pay telecom bills or to purchase from over 1,000 products in the Points Shop within the Air app.

In particular, Air X subscribers can pay their entire monthly bill with points through December. SKTelecom explained that by maximizing the use of the free YouTube Premium Lite benefit and points, customers can effectively use the unlimited data plan for an “effective monthly cost” in the 10,000 won range.

Enhancing the usability of points has also contributed to the increase in membership.

SKTelecom revamped its system for paying phone bills with points last June. Previously, users could pay up to 5,000 won per month with points, but the company now allows points earned through ad-based missions to be used toward bill payments even beyond this limit.

Starting in August, the limit on using points to pay bills was temporarily expanded. Through December, Air X subscribers can pay 100% of their monthly subscription fee with points, while subscribers of the other five rate plans can pay up to 50% of their monthly subscription fee with points.

According to SKTelecom, since the implementation of this program, the number of points used by customers to pay their bills in August increased more than fivefold compared to the previous month.

There are also additional benefits for new subscribers. SKTelecom will fully waive the eSIM issuance fee for customers who sign up for an Air plan by September 30.

Air’s service design has also received external recognition. Air recently won the main prize in the Brand & Communication Design category at the “Red Dot Design Award 2026.”

The Red Dot Design Award is an international design award that comprehensively evaluates brand competitiveness, design quality, innovation, and usability. Air was highly praised for its “telecom minimalism” concept—which simplifies the service around core features and offers six tariff plans—as well as its user-centric brand experience.

Koo Hyun-cheol, Head of the Sales & Marketing Division at SKTelecom, stated, “Air is a service that was designed with a strict user-centric approach from the planning stage, and we have continued to expand the service and its benefits by actively incorporating customer feedback since its launch.” He added, “We will continue to strive to be a telecommunications brand that adds convenience and joy to our customers’ daily lives.”