Carrier, UAM Leader Says "Nayo, Na"

Phase 1 Demonstration Project Proposal
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Deadline Today
All Three Major Telecom Companies Participate

Forming Consortiums with Diverse Industries like Mobility and Aviation for a Real Contest
Fierce Competition in Traffic Control and Telecommunications

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] The telecommunications industry, competing for leadership in Korea's urban air mobility (UAM) ? dubbed the "flying taxi" ? is gearing up for a direct showdown through a government-led demonstration project. Industry players from telecommunications companies to mobility, vertiport, flight operation, and aircraft manufacturers are forming teams to engage in a serious competition.

The Three Major Telecom Companies Kick Off the Skyway War

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the telecommunications industry on the 31st, the Ministry is accepting proposals for the first phase of the "Korean Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge (K-UAM GC)" demonstration project until that day. The agreement period is from October 2022 to May 2024, with the completion date to be determined (TBD). The second phase is planned to proceed from 2024 based on the results of the first phase in urban areas.

SK Telecom is participating as part of a UAM consortium with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, Korea Meteorological Industry Technology Institute, and Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation. Additionally, SK Telecom plans to actively utilize the UAM flight operation experience from NASA's demonstration tests shared by Joby Aviation, a UAM aircraft and flight operation company with which it signed a business cooperation agreement in February this year, during the demonstration construction phase.

LG Uplus is participating in the demonstration project by forming a consortium with Kakao Mobility, GS Caltex, Jeju Air, Pablo Aviation, and Vertical Aerospace. KT is participating by forming a UAM-related consortium with Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Construction, Incheon International Airport Corporation, and Korean Air.

Competition Over Traffic Control and Telecommunications

Through this demonstration project, telecommunications companies are expected to secure advanced technologies related to UAM in network infrastructure and UAM traffic management, as well as verify the communication quality levels required for customers for future commercialization. The role of telecom companies is UAM traffic control and communication. Traffic control is a critical system that monitors and controls all UAM movements to prevent collisions between aircraft and obstacles. It must also analyze flight plans and operational information to monitor real-time route deviations.

UAM is a new business attracting global attention. According to global investment bank Morgan Stanley, the global UAM market size is expected to grow from $44.9 billion (approximately 55 trillion KRW) this year to $1.4739 trillion (approximately 1,828 trillion KRW) by 2040, representing a high annual growth rate of 21.4%. Global demand is also projected to reach 445 million users by around 2050 as UAM services connect cities. About 300 global companies, including major aircraft manufacturers, renowned automobile makers, and startups, are competing to dominate the UAM market.

SK Telecom CEO Yoosang Yoo stated, "To successfully commercialize domestic UAM services by 2025, we will systematically conduct technology research and safety verification with world-class partners to lead future mobility." An LG Uplus official said, "We aim to verify a traffic management platform responsible for the safety and reliability of UAM operations and lead the market by providing high-quality mobile communications such as 5G even in the air as a telecommunications operator." A KT representative added, "We will focus on demonstrating technological capabilities in UAM communication networks, traffic management, and data services, and consider expanding business into the vertiport sector following UAM flight operations and traffic management."

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