"Easy as Roaming" SKT Builds 5G Data Hub with 34 Telecom Alliances

SK Telecom announced on the 16th that it will establish a 5G service overseas interworking communication environment with Bridge Alliance, a coalition of 34 telecommunications companies. The photo shows SK Telecom 5G MEC development researchers studying related technologies at the SK Telecom Bundang office testbed. Photo by SK Telecom

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[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The foundation has been established for Korea's 5G services to be rapidly distributed not only domestically but also in global markets such as Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

SK Telecom announced on the 16th that it is collaborating with Bridge Alliance, a coalition of 34 telecom operators with 900 million subscribers, to build a communication environment where 5G services can be easily linked overseas like international roaming.

Telecom operators worldwide are investing heavily in 5G MEC (Mobile Edge Computing), a core infrastructure of 5G services. This 5G technology places small-scale data centers near base stations close to general consumers or enterprise users, providing ultra-low latency communication and enterprise data protection functions.

Since last year, SK Telecom has been building a 5G MEC hub with Singtel, Singapore's top telecom operator, through task force (TF) activities within Bridge Alliance. Using the 5G MEC hub, which serves as an Asian regional server, the 5G cloud game "World of Warships" was simultaneously operated in Korea and Singapore. The game developer Wargaming also participated in the verification. Once the hub is completed, a seamless data connection channel will be created between Korea's 5G service and Singapore's 5G service.

Based on its experience launching Korea's first 5G edge cloud service in December last year with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world's largest cloud company, SK Telecom has taken a leading role within Bridge Alliance. This year, it plans to partner with Australian telecom operator Optus and Thai telecom operator AIS to implement functions that allow freely uploading and downloading 5G service apps on the 5G MEC hub.

Companies launching 5G services plan to support easy use of global telecom operators' 5G MEC through the 5G MEC hub operated by Bridge Alliance. Currently, to use 5G MEC, individual contracts must be signed with telecom operators in each country, which is a limitation.

Lee Dong-gi, head of SK Telecom's 5GX MEC Product, said, "Telecom operators worldwide are striving to expand 5G services by building 5G MEC and enabling interconnection between operators," adding, "SK Telecom will be a game changer leading the global 5G MEC market."

Gakchi, CEO of Bridge Alliance, emphasized, "We are building an ecosystem that connects 5G MEC hubs and edge clouds of each country, starting with the Asian region," and added, "A world where global companies and developers utilize high-performance, ultra-low latency 5G MEC infrastructure will open."

Dennis Wong, Vice President of Enterprise Wireless Products & Platforms at Singtel, said, "Cloud gaming has gained explosive popularity during the pandemic era, and with this successful 5G MEC interconnection, we can provide an upgraded gaming environment," adding, "Together with Bridge Alliance, we will continuously enhance the 5G MEC hub to create an environment where innovative 5G services can be used anywhere in the world."

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