"Capturing 0.001 Seconds" SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services Super Collaboration (Comprehensive)

'Wavelength' Connection, Maximizing Ultra-Low Latency
Autonomous Driving, Robot Delivery
Remote Medical Care, Smart Factories and Various Demonstrations
Era of Data Explosion
Increasing Demand for Ultra-Low Latency Technology

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services are commercializing the 'SKT 5GX Edge Service,' which can achieve ultra-low latency speeds at the level of one-thousandth of a second. Once this service is implemented, communication response time will be shortened to 0.001 seconds (1 millisecond), enabling seamless services in robot delivery, autonomous driving, cloud gaming, and smart healthcare. Considering that LTE network data processing speed took 0.065 seconds and the existing 5G network took 0.041 seconds, this represents a revolutionary change.

For example, in delivery applications like Baedal Minjok, during major sports events, chicken order data can surge, or the app may shut down when discount coupons are distributed. In such cases, utilizing ultra-low latency technology reduces data response time, preventing app service failures. The same applies to autonomous vehicles operated via apps. To ensure safety, the response time from sensing surrounding traffic conditions to applying brakes must be nearly zero. This also applies to 'cloud gaming,' which requires fast streaming speeds to enjoy vivid experiences even while on the move.

Maximizing 5G Ultra-Low Latency

According to SK Telecom on the 24th, the '5G Edge Cloud Service' jointly developed with Amazon Web Services, SKT 5GX Edge, will be launched for the first time in Korea. 5G Edge Cloud refers to installing cloud centers at base stations to rapidly process the surging mobile data, drastically reducing the time and distance required for data processing. SKT 5GX Edge applies Amazon Web Services Wavelength to the 5G Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) infrastructure, further shortening communication latency. Utilizing this, application service failures will significantly decrease, and autonomous driving, cloud gaming, and smart healthcare can be realized in an ultra-low latency environment.

Yu Young-sang, Head of SK Telecom's Mobile Network Operator (MNO) Business, said, "Through this collaboration, we plan to lead the discovery and expansion of innovative models across industries such as gaming, media, distribution, and manufacturing." Matt Garman, Vice President of Marketing at Amazon Web Services, also explained, "By leveraging Amazon Web Services on SK Telecom's 5G network, Korean customers can maximize the benefits of the 5G network," adding, "This enables the establishment of ultra-low latency services such as smart cities, smart factories, and autonomous vehicles."

0.001-Second Key Amid Data Surge

The reason ultra-low latency technology is necessary is due to the increasing volume of mobile data usage. According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, monthly mobile data usage is expected to reach 136EB (exabytes) in 2024, about five times the amount in 2018. In network environments where data surges explosively, networks capable of ultra-low latency that allow information transmission and reception within 0.001 seconds are essential. SK Telecom's 5G Edge Cloud is expected to reduce communication latency by up to 60%.

Meanwhile, this collaboration also marks SK Telecom's comprehensive super-cooperation with Amazon Web Services, the world's leading cloud company, to build a 5G ecosystem, drawing significant attention. The two companies plan to expand applications across various industrial sectors. Since February, SK Telecom and Amazon Web Services have been collaborating to link actual commercial services based on SKT's 5G network. They have enhanced technical completeness through pilot projects with 20 client companies. They also conducted tests applying 5G MEC to outdoor autonomous delivery robots with Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baedal Minjok.

An SK Telecom official emphasized, "We will expand the market base through cooperation with Amazon Web Services," adding, "SK Telecom's 5G Edge Cloud technology will be integrated into various industries in the future, not only improving cloud efficiency but also becoming a core element of industrial innovation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.