KT to host GSMA's M360 in Seoul

Telecom giant KT is hosting the annual Mobile 360 Asia Pacific (M360 APAC) conference on September 7-8 in Seoul.

M360 is an annual event organized by the GSMA, a non-profit organization that represents global mobile network operators, since 2013. At the annual conference, participants discuss the information and communications technology (ICT) industry agenda, with region-specific topics on mobile industry issues from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This is the first time the M360 event is being held in Korea, with KT serving as the host.

The conference attracts more than 1,000 attendees every year from ICT companies, governments, regulators, and over-the-top (OTT) companies around the world. Some of the participating firms will showcase the latest mobile technologies and trends.

“South Korea was the first country in the world to launch 5G mobile services – and has a reputation for leading the way when it comes to harnessing emerging technologies such as AI, the Metaverse and post quantum computing to drive digital transformation as a leading Digital Nation,” Jeanette Whyte, head of Public Policy, Asia Pacific, GSMA, said in a statement.

“So, it’s fitting therefore, that industry leaders and policy makers are gathering in its capital of Seoul for the GSMA’s M360 APAC leadership conference, to discuss the next steps in how countries across the region can move forward as Digital Nations.”

Under the theme of "Leading the Digital First Future," M360 APAC Korea will bring together leaders from major ICT companies such as KT, Samsung Electronics, and China Mobile, as well as key figures from the Ministry of Science and ICT, Korea Telecommunications Operators Association (KTOA), and academia to discuss issues, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, 6th generation mobile communications, and fintech.

The GSMA executive emphasized that international cooperation is fundamental to the development of digital solutions, as emerging technologies and their potential impact transcend national and even regional borders. Given the transformational potential of emerging technologies, there is a case to be made that there needs to be collective progress in the development and application of these technologies, he added.

Opening keynote speakers include GSMA Director General Mats Granryd; Vice Minister of Science and ICT Yun-gyu Park; KT CEO Young-shub Kim; President of Samsung Electronics' Network Business Division Woo-june Kim; and China Mobile Chairman Yang Jie. KT CEO Kim will talk about Korea's status as a global ICT and digital leader in his speech.

In addition to the keynote, Kang-rim Choi, Head of KT's AI Mobility Business Unit; Soon-min Bae, Head of AI2XL Research Center at KT; Jun-hee Park, Senior Vice President of KT’s Mobility Partnerships; and Won-seok Choi, President of BC Card, will also deliver speeches on mobile network technology.

KT will hold an exhibition to showcase its AI full-stack strategy together with partners, including Rebellion, Moreh, QANDA, and 2Digit.

"It is a great honor for KT to host the GSMA M360 APAC event, which will be held for the first time in Korea," said Sung-wook Moon, Head of KT Global Business Office, adding, “We will do our best to make it a successful global event and showcase Korea's status as a global ICT powerhouse.