SK Telecom Unveils Ambitious AI Data Center Plan in South Korea
SK Telecom is set to build South Korea's largest AI data center, equipped with 60,000 GPUs, as part of its AI Pyramid 2.0 Strategy. This initiative aims to provide affordable AI computing resources to businesses in Korea.
In a significant move to bolster its position in the AI infrastructure landscape, SK Telecom has announced plans to build South Korea's largest AI data center. This ambitious project will be equipped with 60,000 graphics processing units (GPUs), marking a substantial investment in the country's AI capabilities.
AI Pyramid 2.0 Strategy
The data center is a key component of SK Telecom's AI Pyramid 2.0 Strategy, which was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC25) in Barcelona. This strategy focuses on developing hyper-scale AI data centers, turnkey AI data centers, and modular AI data centers. The modular approach allows for rapid deployment and significant cost savings, with construction costs reduced by up to 70% and power efficiency doubled.
Partnership and Location
SK Telecom is collaborating with global big tech companies to bring this project to fruition. The data center will be located outside the Seoul metropolitan area, aligning with the company's goal to establish Korea as a leading AI hub in Asia. The partnership with international tech giants underscores SK Telecom's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive AI innovation.
GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS)
SK Telecom has already launched its GPUaaS platform, which offers businesses access to high-performance computing resources at competitive rates. The subscription model allows companies to choose the number and duration of GPUs needed, providing flexibility and cost-effectiveness4. This service is particularly appealing to businesses developing AI services in Korea, as it offers rates up to half those of international competitors.
Market Impact and Future Plans
The establishment of this AI data center positions SK Telecom as a major player in the AI infrastructure sector. The company aims to expand its AI data center capacity to 1 gigawatt, further solidifying Korea's status as an AI hub in Asia. SK Telecom is also strengthening its global partnerships through the Global Telco AI Alliance, which includes major telecom companies like Deutsche Telekom and SoftBank.
SK Telecom's ambitious AI data center project reflects the growing importance of AI infrastructure in South Korea. As the country continues to invest heavily in AI technologies, SK Telecom is poised to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and economic growth through its AI initiatives.
