Telco leaders vow to build a connected future : 6G

The annual mobile conference, M360, wrapped up after a two-day event on September 8th in Seoul. Under the theme of "Leading the Digital-First Future," M360 APAC Korea brought together leaders from the mobile network industry, academia, and governments. They discussed a range of issues such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, 6G mobile communications, and fintech. They also talked about innovation currently taking place in the network industry, as well as the convergence between different technologies.

On the first day of the event, GSMA Director General Mats Granryd delivered a keynote, focusing on innovation created in the global mobile industry.

“Innovation is about believing deeply in something, having the passion to keep going, solving real problems, and finding ways to make the world a better place,” said the GSMA director-general in his keynote speech, adding that innovation is the driving force behind everything people do in their lives. He encouraged industry leaders to make concerted efforts to build a connected future for everyone with technology.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to see the number of 5G users reach 1.4 billion by 2030, which will account for 41% of all mobile connections, according to a report published by GSMA in August.

As the region experiences such significant advancement in mobile technology, Granryd emphasized the importance of removing the gap between those who benefit from mobile networks and those who are in the shadow of the technology. He stressed that the entire industry needs to work together to improve digital literacy and skills, ensuring that people have access to mobile internet.

Also delivering a speech, Youngshub Kim, CEO of mobile network operator KT, urged network companies to take the reins in leading innovation in the latest technology fields, including AI, cloud, and autonomous driving, which he said have been largely driven by global big tech companies.

“Telecom operators have been in a state of complacency, enjoying stability from their existing businesses. While they are doing so, big tech companies have rolled out new messenger, over-the-top, fintech, and autonomous driving services,” said CEO Kim, encouraging mobile network firms to take initiatives to lead innovation.

“KT envisions becoming a digital innovation partner, expanding its territories into areas such as cloud computing, AI customer service, security, metaverse, and mobility,” he added.

During the two-day conference, KT held an exhibition to showcase its AI full-stack strategy together with partners, including Rebellion, Moreh, QANDA, and 2Digit. This is the first time the M360 event is being held in Korea, with KT serving as the host.

Other speakers included Vice Minister of Science and ICT Yun-gyu Park; President of Samsung Electronics' Network Business Division Woo-june Kim; and China Mobile Chairman Yang Jie.

ICT Vice Minister Yunkyu Park said in his speech that the Korean government would spare no efforts to achieve growth in emerging technologies, including 6G, satellite communications, and metaverse.

The conference attracts more than 1,000 attendees every year from ICT companies, governments, regulators, and over-the-top (OTT) companies from around the world.