SKT and SK Telink Launch World's First In-Flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming Service

SK Telecom announced on the 15th that it has jointly launched the world's first 'T In-flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming' service with SK Telink. This service allows users to access in-flight Wi-Fi automatically without any separate authentication process, simply by subscribing before boarding the plane.

The new service applies the automatic authentication technology 'Passpoint' to verify subscription information automatically. Passpoint is an automatic authentication technology for Wi-Fi networks, used in areas such as public Wi-Fi networks to provide seamless connectivity and enhanced security. SKT is the first in the world to apply Passpoint to airline services.

With this, SKT has taken a step forward from the 'T In-flight Wi-Fi' service it first introduced in July last year among domestic mobile carriers. That service simplified the usage process to allow in-flight Wi-Fi access without going through the airline, but users still had to enter a voucher code received via text message after subscribing. The new T In-flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming service eliminates the voucher code entry step.

T In-flight Wi-Fi Auto Roaming can be subscribed to on the T Roaming website or at airport T Roaming Centers. The service is currently available on some Korean Air flights and plans to expand to major domestic airlines' aircraft in the future. The pricing includes four plans: long-distance (29,700 KRW), medium-distance (19,800 KRW), short-distance (17,600 KRW), and ultra-short-distance (8,800 KRW). The ultra-short-distance plan is available on routes under two hours, such as Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan and Qingdao in China.

Lee Sung-chul, Head of International Business Division at SK Telink, said, "SK Telink will expand collaboration with global satellite operators and airlines to enable in-flight Wi-Fi services on more flights."

Yoon Jae-woong, Head of Marketing Strategy Division at SKT, stated, "We will continue to create a global communication environment that exceeds customer expectations with customer-centric roaming services and reasonable pricing structures."