Singtel & SK Telecom join forces for next-gen telecom networks

Singtel and SK Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop next-generation telecommunications networks over the next two years. This collaboration aims to drive innovation, improve network performance and security, and enhance customer experiences. The partnership will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), orchestration tools, network virtualisation, and other technologies fundamental to advancing towards 6G.

The two companies will jointly create a white paper detailing their advancements in virtualisation, slicing, and network evolution. This document aims to assist other telecommunications companies globally in maximising the capabilities of 5G and preparing for 6G.

Mr Kang Jong-ryeol, Head of ICT Infra at SK Telecom, commented on the collaboration, saying, "The collaboration between SKT and Singtel marks a significant first step in shaping the future of the global telecommunications industry. By combining the strengths of both companies, we aim to achieve significant advancements in next-generation communication technologies such as 6G and AI infrastructure."

One of the focal points for the two telecom giants will be the development of Edge-AI Infrastructure. This technology reduces the computational burden concentrated on the cloud through edge computing and performs AI inference by combining AI solutions. The initiative aims to enhance connectivity, offer unique AI service offerings to customers, and allow operators to restore services more swiftly, thereby improving customer experiences.

Ms Anna Yip, Deputy CEO and CEO of Business Development at Singtel, stated, “As a global leader in 5G technology, we’re keen to capitalise on the myriad of capabilities this technology has to offer, especially in the areas of network slicing and with the inclusion of AI. With SKT, we’re looking to not only enhance the experience of our customers but to also drive industry innovation and help us prepare for the evolution to 6G.”

The MoU outlines several specific areas of collaboration. Among these is the development of enhanced network slicing capabilities, which will involve activating dedicated, customised slices of their networks to better meet diverse and dynamic demands. Both companies aim to push the boundaries of network virtualisation by leveraging Singtel's scalable and agile telco cloud.

Additionally, SKT and Singtel will work on developing standardised telecom application programming interfaces (APIs). An Open Gateway, an interoperable and federated network with open standard APIs, will facilitate these efforts. This is expected to accelerate the development and growth of services in various sectors, including fintech, identity, smart mobility, gaming, and Web3.

To manage the anticipated complexities of 6G networks, the partners will collaborate to build more efficient orchestration platforms such as Singtel CUBE. This unified suite of network solutions enables enterprises to manage multiple services and vendors through a single digital portal. The aim is to streamline and automate various network functions, thus enhancing service delivery efficiency.

Both companies will also explore the capabilities of automation and AI to boost operational efficiency and service responsiveness, creating solid foundations for a future 6G network. Singtel and SKT are founding members of the Global Telco AI Alliance, including Deutsche Telekom, e&, and SoftBank. In June 2024, the Alliance members signed a Joint Venture agreement to co-develop and launch multilingual Large Language Models (Telco LLM) tailored specifically to the needs of telecommunications companies.

Singtel has achieved nationwide 5G Standalone coverage in 2022 and deployed 5G network slicing at high-profile events such as the Formula 1 race and Taylor Swift’s concerts.