SK Telecom (017670.KS), South Korea's largest mobile carrier, said Tuesday that it successfully provided stable telecommunications services during cherry blossom festivals that ran through Monday by deploying an artificial intelligence-based core network monitoring system.
The festivals were held simultaneously at major locations including Seokchon Lake and Yeouido. SK Telecom said its AI-powered preemptive response system ensured seamless service without any network disruptions despite the massive crowds. Over the past weekend alone, a total of 44.9 terabytes of mobile data was consumed in the Seokchon Lake and Yeouido festival areas. That represents a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous weekend.
Considering that 1TB can transmit approximately 200,000 photos (at 5MB per photo, based on standard 12-16MP smartphone shots) or stream roughly 400 hours of video (at 2.5GB per hour, based on 1080p Full HD), the 44.9TB used during the period is equivalent to transmitting about 8.98 million photos or streaming approximately 17,960 hours of video.
Among subscribers who attended the festivals on April 4 and 5, those aged 50 and above accounted for the largest share at 31%, followed by those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and teens. In terms of data usage by age group, people in their 20s consumed the most at 29%, indicating active data use among younger festival-goers.
The gender ratio was roughly even. YouTube ranked first in app traffic, followed by Instagram, Naver, and Facebook.
SK Telecom's AI-based "SPIDER" system played a key role in the successful service delivery. Developed using the company's proprietary AI platform, SPIDER provides integrated monitoring of all core network equipment and automatically analyzes alarms and statistical data. By consolidating previously separate monitoring systems for individual network equipment, the system has significantly improved operational efficiency. It automatically detects anomalies using AI and recommends swift corrective actions.
"Through the coordinated operation of our AI-based core network management systems SPIDER and A-One, we were able to provide uninterrupted telecommunications services even at large-scale festival sites," said Kang Kyung-pyo, head of core network operations at SK Telecom. "We will continue striving to ensure customers can experience the highest quality telecommunications services anytime, anywhere through autonomous networks built on our differentiated AI network technology."