SK Telecom Announces New AI Data Center Unit With 750 Billion Won Investment Plan

SK Telecom said it has established a new company called SK Hyper to focus on AI data center development and commercialization. According to Odaily, the company plans to invest 330 billion won initially and 750 billion won in total by December 2030, while holding a 100% stake in the unit. The new unit will handle future large-scale AI data center projects, including site selection, power infrastructure, and customer partnerships. SK Telecom said its existing 137MW data center assets and the 100MW Ulsan AIDC project scheduled to fully enter service in 2029 will remain under SK Broadband's operation. SK Hyper will also lead the 900MW Ulsan AIDC project and a long-term super data center project targeting 15GW. The company said it will use a development-led model rather than directly owning the assets, with project special purpose companies handling construction, ownership, and operations. SK Hyper plans to raise outside capital through financial investors and project financing. The company said the structure is intended to reduce SK Telecom's financial burden while supporting expansion of its AI data center business. Analysts said the move provides a more realistic path for expansion than earlier market concerns over the funding required for a large AIDC project. iM Securities researcher Shin Hee-cheol said the model could lower SK Telecom's financial burden while balancing expansion speed and profitability.