SK Telecom Hosts Global 6G Discussion at SK Tech Summit 2023

SK Telecom has conducted an extensive discussion on the future of 6G technology at the SK Tech Summit 2023. The summit showcased a dedicated session on 6G technology, emphasizing SKT’s research and development initiatives, international collaborations, and pivotal 6G advancements.
During the session, SK Telecom highlighted its groundbreaking 6G endeavors, notably unveiling the development of the 6G Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology earlier this year. Additionally, the presentation unveiled the first 6G white paper among Korea’s mobile operators. Integral technologies for the 6G era, such as on-device AI-based power consumption reduction and the progression of open radio access network technology, were also explored.

Collaboration formed a cornerstone of the discussion, with NTT DOCOMO and Bell Canada joining to underscore the significance of global partnerships in achieving successful 6G standardization and commercialization.

Takehiro Nakamura, Chief Standardization Officer (CSO) of NTT DOCOMO, delivered a keynote speech, illuminating promising 6G technologies arising from the strategic partnership between SKT and NTT DOCOMO. This alliance has produced insightful white papers on green mobile networks and 6G requirements.

Javan Erfanian, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff at Bell Canada, took the stage to present the NGMN Alliance’s 6G-related activities, emphasizing global collaborations, including the Alliance’s comprehensive 6G white paper generated through the collective efforts of around 40 prominent companies.

SK Telecom reiterated the necessity of international cooperation, spanning Korea, Japan, Europe, and the U.S., as a pivotal factor for a prosperous 6G era. This commitment was underscored by SK Telecom’s active involvement in various global forums, including the recent Brooklyn 6G Summit in New York and Telecoms World Asia 2023 in Bangkok, where SKT shared insights on 6G readiness, technological advancements, and the importance of fostering an innovative ecosystem.

Furthermore, SK Telecom leads the charge in 6G standardization efforts, actively engaging in initiatives such as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) Global Forum, Open RAN Industry Alliance (ORIA), O-RAN Alliance, 3GPP, and the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference. Looking ahead, SKT is slated to host the O-RAN Alliance F2F meetings in Asia in June 2024.

Yu Takki, Vice President and Head of Infra Tech Office of SK Telecom, expressed, “At the largest-ever SK Tech Summit, we introduced our 6G R&D efforts and key technology developments, along with our collaborative activities with global mobile operators. We will continue to lead the way in creating a 6G ecosystem and developing future network evolution technologies through global cooperation.”