SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) announced that its 5G-based Mobile Edge Computing Platform has received the ‘Most Innovative Edge Computing Strategy’ award at the Leading Lights Awards 2019, held in Denver, Colorado on May 6, 2019.  

The Leading Lights Awards is an annual awards program run by Light Reading, the market-leading publication for the global communications networking and services industry. Now in its fifteenth year, the award recognizes top companies and their executives for their outstanding achievements in next-generation communications technology, applications, and services.

The ‘Most Innovative Edge Computing Strategy’ award is presented to the network operator or technology developer that has devised the most innovative edge computing strategy during the past year.

In March 2019, SK Telecom has commercialized the world’s first 5G-based Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) Platform, which is capable of significantly enhancing the response time in 5G data communications.

Built on standards set by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), SK Telecom’s MEC Platform minimizes latency in 5G networks by providing a shortcut for data transmission. The shortcut is created by installing a small-scale data center at 5G base station or router.

MEC enables the provision of innovative 5G services such as AR/VR services, cloud gaming services, autonomous driving & fleet management, real-time live broadcasting.

To solidify its 5G leadership, SK Telecom is currently focusing on the development of MEC-based services, while seeking measures to broaden the MEC-related ecosystem by opening its APIs for third-party MEC service providers.

“SK Telecom is delighted to receive this prestigious award as it recognizes our commitment to provide the most innovative 5G technologies and services,” said Park Jin-hyo, the Chief Technology Officer and Head of ICT R&D Center of SK Telecom. “With our 5G MEC Platform, SK Telecom will seamlessly provide ultra-large volume 5G content at near-zero latency to further enhance customer experience, while joining hands with diverse companies throughout the globe to accelerate the popularization of MEC-based services.”