SK Telecom to Deploy A-One AI Network for Seoul K-Pop Concert
SK Telecom has announced a special communications plan for a large K-pop concert in central Seoul, aiming to prevent network congestion and ensure stable service as crowds share photos, videos, and watch live streams. The operator will roll out its in-house AI-based network operations system, A-One, for the first time to manage the event.
A-One will analyze coverage to suggest where new equipment should be placed, forecast future traffic using past event data, and monitor network quality through AI agents that can respond to evolving conditions. The goal is to design an optimized communications environment before the show begins and adapt in real time as needed.
The company has divided the area around Gwanghwamun and the Seoul Metropolitan Government into three zones to tailor the network, based on crowd density and usage patterns. Inside the venue, on Sejong-daero between Gwanghwamun and Seoul City Hall, an eight-lane stretch will be considered, as well as surrounding interior spaces. Outside the venue, zones include pedestrian streets, ticket booths, and merchandise areas, and outer roads where crowds may move and traffic could slow.
To handle surge in data, SK Telecom will bolster capacity with additional base stations and temporary facilities, expanding the network from Gwanghwamun to Seoul City Hall. Equipment will be prioritized for areas expected to see the highest concentration of attendees, such as the stage vicinity, ticketing booths, and goods stalls. Where fixed installations are impractical due to construction or other constraints, the company will seek temporary spaces through coordination with organizers.
The plan also addresses international visitors who rely on roaming service. Temporary equipment will be added in zones with heavy roaming use, and existing base stations optimized to ensure reliable coverage for foreign guests. Network optimization will also target nearby subway stations to prevent bottlenecks as people move through the area.
Hong Seon-gi, head of SK Telecom’s Metropolitan Network division, said the event’s global attention offers a chance to demonstrate Korea’s AI-driven, world-class network capabilities. He stressed that the company aims to provide stable service even in ultra-dense traffic environments through autonomous network management.
Why this matters beyond Korea: US readers should note that this reflects a broader trend in the telecom industry toward AI-powered, proactive network management for mega-events. For US carriers and event organizers, such approaches can reduce outages, improve user experience during live streams and social sharing, and inform planning for roaming customers and cross-border connections. The move also highlights ongoing Korea-US tech ties in 5G-like networks and AI-enabled infrastructure, with implications for digital services, security, and supply-chain resilience during large public gatherings.