[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyun-ah ] Ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the three major telecommunications companies are activating their emergency network systems. In anticipation of a sharp surge in network traffic due to increased travel by people returning to and from their hometowns, as well as a rise in video calls and video streaming, they will focus on managing networks at key transportation hubs such as highways, train stations, and airports.

They are also strengthening real-time network control and security monitoring using AI. To alleviate the financial burden on partner companies ahead of the holiday, a total of 317.5 billion won will be paid out early.

Chuseok Communication Traffic Surge… 24-Hour Management with AI

SKTelecom(017670)will operate a special communication response system centered on its Comprehensive Situation Room for five days, from the 23rd to the 27th. The control system will also be operated concurrently during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which run from the 19th to the 4th of next month.

A total of 3,625 personnel from SKT, its affiliates, and operations and maintenance partners will be deployed to monitor the nationwide telecommunications network 24 hours a day.

AI-based network operations will also be strengthened. The wireless network AI operation system “A-One” will analyze nationwide network traffic and equipment status in real time, while the core network AI integrated control system “Spider” will monitor for signs of anomalies.

On September 25, Chuseok Day, peak hourly data usage is expected to increase by 10.3% compared to normal levels. SKT has conducted preemptive inspections of high-traffic areas—including highways, national roads, cemeteries, and tourist and resort facilities—and has completed capacity expansions for 5G and LTE base stations.

Video calls will also be provided free of charge from September 24 through 27. The company anticipates that the number of international roaming users will increase by up to 25% compared to usual and is strengthening cooperation with overseas operators. It is also operating 24-hour security monitoring centered on its Integrated Security Control Center.

KTCorporation(030200)KT has also designated the period from the 23rd through the last day of the Chuseok holiday as a “Network Intensive Management Period.”

The company has inspected communication quality at major transportation hubs—including highways, KTX and SRT stations, airports, and bus terminals—and completed the optimization of base station capacity. It will also provide 24-hour intensive management of 5G and LTE base stations in major vacation spots and areas where family visitors congregate.

Security monitoring has also been strengthened to guard against smishing and cyberattacks disguised as holiday gift offers. In preparation for severe weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rain, the company has inspected communication facilities and deployed mobile power generators and portable generators at key locations to ensure emergency power supply.

LG Uplus(032640)The company is utilizing “AION,” an AI-based autonomous network operation platform, to respond to real-time traffic changes during the holiday period.

The company has completed preemptive inspections and quality optimization of base stations nationwide, including those along highways and at rest areas, as well as at KTX and SRT stations, bus terminals, and airports. A comprehensive situation room is operating at the Magok headquarters in Seoul to provide 24-hour intensive monitoring. Cache server capacity has also been expanded to accommodate increased viewing of U+tv and OTT services.

From September 24 to 27, the company will offer free video calls to all customers, including MVNO subscribers. This excludes video calls made using mobile data on prepaid phones, as well as those made via KakaoTalk and FaceTime.
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5 Billion Won to Partners… Early Payment Before Chuseok

The three major telecom companies are also stepping up to provide financial support to their partners.

KTCorporation, in collaboration with major group affiliates, will make early payments totaling 160.7 billion won to small and medium-sized partner companies. This measure is intended to help partner companies manage their cash flow ahead of the holiday. KTCorporation is also operating a 100 billion won low-interest “Win-Win Cooperation Fund.”

SKTelecom, in collaboration with SK Broadband, will make early payments totaling 131.8 billion won to approximately 200 partner companies and 250 distribution channels. This initiative targets partner companies responsible for network construction, maintenance, and service contracts.

LG Uplus will make early payments totaling 25 billion won to small and medium-sized partner companies. The payments, originally scheduled for September 30, will be made seven days earlier, with the full amount paid in cash on the 23rd.

The total amount of early payments made by the three major telecom companies for this Chuseok holiday amounts to 317.5 billion won.

In addition, LG Uplus is operating a “Shared Growth Fund” worth 75 billion won and a direct financial support program worth 30 billion won. It is also providing training on AI usage and voice phishing prevention for digitally vulnerable groups, such as seniors and foreign nationals.

The three telecom companies plan to intensively manage network quality and security to prepare for the surge in communication demand during the Chuseok holiday, while continuing to provide support to alleviate the financial burden on their partner companies during the holiday season.