As part of this collaboration, SK Telecom will evaluate Nokia Siemens Networks’ newly launched Radio Applications Cloud Server (RACS), which enables Liquid Applications, in the first half of 2013. Liquid Applications is an innovative network technology that helps operators provide a truly unique and personalized mobile broadband experience. This is achieved by turning base stations into a local hub for new service creation and delivery that exists closer to the mobile subscriber.

SK Telecom will be the world’s first operator to test Liquid Applications in an LTE environment. The operator is focusing on realizing Service-Aware RAN (radio access network) as part of its evolution toward an upgraded network. Unlike traditional base stations that essentially only played the role of a communication pipe, Service-Aware RAN is an intelligent base station that provides customers with a unique mobile experience through a wide variety of customized services. Based on the diverse features of intelligent base stations such as localized processing, storage and access to real-time radio and network data, the operator expects to develop services and applications that deliver a contextualized and personalized experience to customers. Service-Aware RAN will be showcased at SK Telecom’s booth at Mobile World Congress 2013, Fira Gran Via, in Barcelona, Spain.
 
"Telecom providers are realizing that optimized transmission of data alone can no longer guarantee success in the market," said Dr Choi Jin-sung, Executive Vice President and Head of ICT R&D Division at SK Telecom. "SK Telecom will work closely with Nokia Siemens Networks to bring innovative changes to people’s lives by developing and applying new network technologies."

"Through Liquid Applications, SK Telecom will be able to transform its base stations into a unique value creation engine to provide a uniquely personalized customer experience. In addition, Liquid Applications will stimulate mutual co-operation between the operator and various ecosystem players, resulting in development and delivery of innovative applications and services," said Jarmo Häkkinen, head of mobile broadband value creation, Nokia Siemens Networks. "SK Telecom’s dense network of mobile base stations transformed with Liquid Applications processes content locally and interacts with subscribers to provide a totally unique mobile broadband experience.  This will help SK Telecom to generate revenue from new business models, new services and new applications".