SK Telecom, CDMA Achievements Gain International Recognition... "Evolving Once Again with AI" (Comprehensive)

Recognized for Achievements at Global ICT Conference
Regarding Controversy Over Special Privileges in Telecom Industry Entry
CEO Yoo Sang-young: "It's Regrettable to Undermine Our Efforts"

South Korea's successful CDMA case, in which SK Telecom participated, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame known as the 'Nobel Prize of the global ICT field.' SKT announced that it will continue to demonstrate a pioneering spirit in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) to contribute to national industrial growth.

Yu Young-sang, CEO of SKT, is delivering a welcome speech at the IEEE Milestone Award Ceremony held on the 10th at the headquarters' SUPEX Hall.
[Photo by SKT]

On the 10th, SKT announced that the large-scale commercialization of CDMA in 1996, carried out together with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics, was selected as an outstanding achievement by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

In the afternoon, an IEEE Milestone award ceremony was held at SKT headquarters in Euljiro, Seoul. The plaque installed on the exterior wall of the headquarters listed the names of SKT, ETRI, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics, the key players in the commercialization of CDMA in South Korea, along with their contributions to the industry.

World's First CDMA Commercialization Recognized by IEEE

IEEE, founded in 1884 under the leadership of Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, is the world's largest society in the field of electrical and electronics engineering. Since 1983, it has operated the 'IEEE Milestone' program, which awards historical achievements that have contributed to human society and industrial development.

Known as the Nobel Prize in the global ICT field, the IEEE Milestone has been dominated by technological powerhouses such as North America, Europe, and Japan, accounting for over 90% of the awards. SKT earned the honor of being the first domestic company to be selected with the CDMA case. Considering IEEE's procedure of reviewing achievements over 25 years old, SKT has been striving since 2016 to register the successful CDMA case through public-private cooperation.

SKT, ETRI, Samsung Electronics, and LG Electronics succeeded in commercializing the CDMA digital mobile communication system, which could increase call capacity more than tenfold compared to analog methods, in response to the explosive demand for mobile communications.

At that time, global companies fiercely competed over the time-division method TDMA, but South Korea challenged the commercialization of CDMA, which had dramatically higher growth potential. The government launched the Mobile Communication Technology Development Project Management Group under SKT based on the CDMA technology introduced domestically by ETRI. Subsequently, domestic device manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics actively cooperated to unify CDMA as the national standard and commercialize it for the first time in the world.

Song Sang-hoon, Director of the Information and Communication Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, who attended the ceremony, recalled, "Over seven years from 1989 to 1996, the government and companies invested more than 100 billion won in R&D and deployed a large workforce of over 1,000 people annually."

He said, "Despite an uncertain future, the achievement was made possible by the bold decisions of the government, domestic researchers, manufacturers, and telecom operators working together," adding, "We are now preparing for the 6G era and will continue to uphold our reputation as a telecommunications powerhouse."

(Photo from left) Jeon Guk-jin, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Seoul National University; Jang Gil-su, Chair of IEEE Seoul Section; Song Sang-hoon, Director of the Information and Communication Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Go Jin, Chair of the Presidential Committee on the Digital Platform Government; Kathleen Kramer, Incoming Chair of IEEE; Yoo Sang-young, CEO of SKT; Kang Jong-ryeol, CSPO of SKT; Choi Won-jun, Head of Development at Samsung Electronics MX Division; Je Yeong-ho, Head of Research at LG Electronics C&M Standard Research Institute; Baek Yong-soon, Director of the 3D Communication Research Center at ETRI participated in the plaque unveiling ceremony held on the 10th at the SKT headquarters in Euljiro.

With the commercialization of CDMA, South Korea rapidly transformed from a mobile communication importing country to an exporting country. At that time, the global mobile communication market developed anew based on the technological capabilities of our public and private sectors and had a significant impact on semiconductor technology development.

"An AI Company Like No Other" Pioneer

The event was attended by Kathleen Kramer, the next IEEE president; Ko Jin, Chair of the Digital Platform Government Committee; Director Song; SKT CEO Yoo Young-sang; Baek Yong-soon, Director of ETRI's 3D Communication Research Center; Choi Won-jun, Head of Samsung Electronics MX Division Development Office; and Je Young-ho, Head of LG Electronics C&M Standards Research Center.

There was also a moment to present a plaque of appreciation to the bereaved family of the late Seo Jeong-wook, former Minister of Science and Technology and former Vice Chairman of SKT. The late minister actively promoted the IEEE Milestone registration based on his experience leading CDMA commercialization during his tenure at SKT, contributing to showcasing South Korea's ICT capabilities to the world.

In his welcoming remarks, CEO Yoo emphasized, "Just as CDMA did in the past, our future will evolve into a completely different form due to the innovative technology of AI. The path SKT aims to take as a 'global AI company' is also a new path that no one has ever taken."

He continued, "With the pioneer DNA engraved in us during the world's first CDMA commercialization, we will overcome the many challenges ahead by working together with all stakeholders present here."

"Devoted My Youth to SKT... Will Further Promote Our Achievements"

Regarding political controversies over preferential treatment related to SK Group's entry into the telecommunications business, CEO Yoo told reporters after the event, "It is regrettable that SKT's efforts and achievements are being disparaged."

Recently, during the second trial of SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won's divorce lawsuit, the court judged that former President Roh Tae-woo had tangible and intangible contributions to SK's (then Seonkyung Group) entry into the telecommunications business in 1994.

However, SK's side maintains that after the inauguration of the Kim Young-sam government, it acquired Korea Mobile Telecommunications (now SKT) and entered the telecommunications business, but the court misunderstood this as collusion between politics and business or growth through illicit funds.

Regarding this, CEO Yoo said, "As a member of SKT, I devoted my youth to SKT," adding, "I feel sorry that the efforts and achievements such as SKT's world's first CDMA commercialization, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, are being disparaged."

He added, "We entered the telecommunications business through legitimate means, not preferential treatment, and have managed it very well to reach where we are today. As an SKT member, I am proud of this and will strive to make this widely known."