SK Telecom has detailed its mid- to long-term 6G strategy with the publication of its third 6G white paper, titled ATHENA, signaling how the operator plans to evolve its network architecture for the AI era and the post-2030 communications landscape.
ATHENA framework defines SKT’s 6G network vision
The ATHENA white paper builds on SK Telecom’s 6G white paper series launched in 2023. The first edition outlined key requirements and technology trends for 6G standardization, while the 2024 paper focused on the transformation of communication infrastructure in an AI-driven environment. The latest release consolidates these ideas into a comprehensive network evolution roadmap designed to support AI convergence, new service categories and advanced security needs.
ATHENA represents six core principles that underpin SK Telecom’s 6G strategy: AI-native, Trust, Hyper-connectivity, Experience, opeN, and Agility. Together, these pillars define a customer-centric network vision that prioritizes security, stability, safety and quality while enabling flexible and intelligent operations across future communication environments.
AI-native networks at the core of 6G evolution
A central theme of the white paper is the dual role of artificial intelligence in next-generation networks. SK Telecom positions its strategy around two complementary concepts. AI for Network focuses on real-time data analysis, predictive operations and AI-based decision-making to enable self-optimizing and autonomous networks. Network for AI emphasizes the evolution of network capabilities to efficiently support AI services, including latency-sensitive and data-intensive applications.
This approach is designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience and unlock new network monetization opportunities as services expand to areas such as humanoid robots, immersive applications and satellite communications.
Zero Trust security and converged infrastructure
Security is addressed through a Zero Trust paradigm that assumes no implicit trust across devices, users or network domains. SK Telecom plans to embed Zero Trust principles across its future architecture to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats expected in the 6G era.
The white paper also highlights a shift toward a converged infrastructure model. Rather than being tightly bound to a specific generation such as 5G or 6G, the network will evolve as a unified platform capable of supporting terrestrial, non-terrestrial and satellite communications. Openness is another key focus, with SK Telecom advocating general-purpose hardware, open interfaces and open-source-based technologies to foster a broader ecosystem.
ATHENA architecture across all network domains
To realize its vision, SK Telecom defines ATHENA as its mid- to long-term network architecture spanning the radio access network, core network, transport network and network data platform.
The radio access network is set to evolve toward AI-driven autonomous optimization enabled by virtualization and open interfaces. Core and transport networks will advance through deeper automation and AI-based control within cloud-native environments. Meanwhile, the network data platform will expand its role as a foundational asset for AI-based services, analytics and customer value creation using network data.
Global standardization and MWC26 showcase
SK Telecom is actively aligning its 6G strategy with global standards by participating in international bodies including 3GPP, ITU and the O-RAN Alliance. The company is also conducting advanced research in core 6G technologies such as AI-RAN and autonomous networks.
Recently, SK Telecom was elected as a board member of the AI-RAN Alliance, strengthening its role in shaping the convergence of AI and wireless technologies.
At MWC Barcelona 2026, SK Telecom plans to showcase key technologies aligned with its ATHENA vision, including AI agents for network operations, AI-RAN solutions that deliver both communication and AI services, on-device AI-based antenna optimization and integrated communication and sensing capabilities.
Long-term growth anchored in AI and openness
According to Yu Takki, Head of Network Technology Office at SK Telecom, the company aims to lead the evolution of future communication infrastructure over the next decade by combining AI, virtualization, openness and Zero Trust security, while keeping customer value at the center of its 6G strategy.
SHAFANA FAZAL
