SKT Showcases AI-Enhanced Communication Technologies at MWC25

SK Telecom (SKT) will present its network AI technologies that enhance the value of mobile communication networks at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona, Spain, starting March 3 (local time).

Mobile communication infrastructure is evolving to provide both communication services and AI inference simultaneously, in line with advancements in AI.

International organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) and the AI-RAN Alliance are accelerating research into AI base stations (AI-RAN), which provide AI workloads from communication base stations, and are also showing interest in technologies that process AI services with on-device AI.

At MWC, SKT will demonstrate its “AI Base Station (AI-RAN)” technology, which integrates various chipsets, including GPUs in general-purpose servers, to deliver both communication and AI services. This technology allows communication services and AI workloads to be implemented simultaneously from the AI base station.

To handle cases of traffic overload, traditional communication base stations ensure they have additional resources available. In contrast, AI base stations allocate these spare resources for AI inference services, maximizing the efficiency of AI services.

The exhibition will also include a technology for managing distributed AI infrastructure at the edge (Edge AI), which provides AI service environments to customers through an AI Orchestrator, and examples of using AI-based Network Data Analytic Function (NWDAF) to enhance communication quality.

SKT will introduce “AI Routing,” which processes simple AI tasks with on-device AI to reduce the server load needed for AI services. This technology assesses in real-time which entity—the server with a large language model (LLM) or the device with a smaller language model (SLM)—can deliver optimal inference performance, thereby allocating the service role effectively.

Customers can enjoy low latency benefits of on-device AI while maintaining service quality, and AI providers can also benefit from reduced server load and increased operational efficiency.

Additionally, SKT will disclose the current research status of integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), a next-generation mobile communication technology that has garnered significant attention.

ISAC uses radio signals to gather information about the surrounding environment. By analyzing the degree to which communication frequency signals emitted from base stations or devices are reflected by people or objects, it can precisely detect surroundings.

As a novel technology that combines communication and sensing functions, ISAC can be applied in various fields such as public safety and industrial automation within mobile communication networks. It has also gained recognition from international standard organizations like the ITU, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) as a goal for 6G service.

At the exhibition, SKT will conduct a demonstration using ISAC technology to detect visitors passing in front of installed base station equipment. This capability can be utilized for applications such as intrusion detection, health monitoring, and public safety based on the appearance and behavior of detected individuals.

“Through our 6G white papers and other efforts, we have outlined the evolution of networks where communication and AI converge,” said  Ryu Tak-gi, head of SKT’s Infrastructure Technology Division. “At this MWC, we plan to showcase advanced technologies related to AI wireless and wired infrastructure that add new value to our infrastructure.”

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