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KISDI Publishes Report on “Key Issues in Advancing AI Mobile Telecommunications Infrastructure”

Special Issue of KISDI Premium Report: Advancing National AI and Digital Policy Agendas (Special Issue No. 4) -

The Korea Information Society Development Institute (KISDI, President Sangkyu Rhee) recently published “Key Issues in Advancing AI Mobile Telecommunications Infrastructure,” which explores policy directions and solutions for upgrading mobile telecommunications infrastructure in the era of expanding AI. The report is the fourth in the special edition of KISDI Premium Report: Advancing National AI and Digital Policy Agendas.

The report emphasizes that in the AI era, upgrading both AI computing infrastructure and AI telecommunications infrastructure—ensuring stable access to AI—is essential for the widespread application of AI across daily life and industry.

However, the report finds that the advancement of Korea’s mobile telecommunications infrastructure has slowed since the introduction of 5G, raising structural concerns about its capacity to function as the connectivity foundation for the AI era. It notes that if the current 5G non-standalone (NSA) approach becomes entrenched and infrastructure upgrades are delayed, the development of core 5G services such as network slicing may also be delayed. This could limit advanced service experiences for users and industries and increase the risk of declining national AI competitiveness. The report therefore stresses the need for policies that promote the advancement of 5G standalone (SA) infrastructure and services and strengthen the telecommunications infrastructure sector as a strategic industry.

First, the report notes the need to ensure spectrum supply and strengthen investment incentives to secure advanced mobile networks in a cost-effective and technologically efficient manner. It suggests that deploying 5G equipment capable of evolving toward 6G using low- and mid-band spectrum could support network advancement through expanded 5G SA adoption and uplink improvements.

Second, the report explains that product differentiation through 5G SA virtual private networks does not constitute a commercial practice prohibited by net neutrality and is unlikely to constrain new service development. However, given the characteristics of mobile communications, ensuring consistent service quality may be challenging, and the issue of service quality assurance mechanisms may require policy attention.

Third, the report highlights the need to review flexible approaches to universal service provision to ensure broad public access to AI infrastructure. It also suggests discussing funding mechanisms, including contributions from digital service providers, to support the sustainability of the universal service framework.

Finally, the report recommends establishing spectrum allocation measures to promote facilities-based competition among mobile operators while expanding industries that utilize telecommunications infrastructure and diversifying infrastructure investment and deployment entities. It also notes the importance of recognizing telecommunications infrastructure as a strategic industry amid U.S.–China strategic competition and considering expanded direct and indirect industrial policy measures.

KISDI will continue to conduct research on telecommunications and spectrum regulation and industrial policy measures needed to advance AI telecommunications infrastructure and services, expand universal access to AI telecommunications infrastructure, and promote related industries.