SK Telecom's Operating Profit Surges Over 1,000% in Q3

SK Telecom Co. (SKT), South Korea's leading mobile service provider, has announced a significant financial turnaround for the third quarter of 2026. The company's operating profit surged by 1,041.3% year-on-year, reaching 552.3 billion won (approximately $411.4 million). This impressive growth marks a return to profitability for SKT, which previously reported a net loss in the same period last year.

The increase in operating income was accompanied by a 13.1% rise in sales, totaling 4.49 trillion won. Notably, SK Telecom's net profit for the quarter was 411.8 billion won, a stark contrast to the loss of 166.7 billion won reported a year earlier. The company attributed its success to the steady growth of its core mobile service business and the expansion of new ventures in artificial intelligence (AI).

Sales from AI data centers increased by 6.2% compared to the previous year, while revenue from other AI-related businesses saw a remarkable 27.3% growth. To bolster its AI initiatives, SK Telecom established two new subsidiaries, SK Hyper and SK Horizon, aimed at managing its AI data center operations. These centers, currently under construction in Ulsan and Seoul, are expected to have a combined capacity of 180 megawatts.

An executive from SK Telecom stated, "We plan to integrate mobile services and AI businesses into a unified growth strategy to enhance synergy between the two sectors." This strategic approach is anticipated to further strengthen the company's market position and drive future growth.