SK Telecom Co., South Korea’s largest telecommunications company, has applied artificial intelligence-based network management system ‘T Advanced Next Generation Operational Supporting System (TANGO)’ to its mobile network in a move to boost traffic management efficiency as well as the quality of network operation.

TANGO is the telecom service provider’s self-developed network management system fitted with big data analytics and machine learning capabilities. The company has spent two full years to develop it, it said on Thursday.

Its application to mobile network comes after the telecom service provider started managing its landline network with the system in December.

TANGO is designed to help the company optimize its network operation through the use of machine learning technology. It breaks down network traffic information by area and period, detects abnormalities in the data network, and provides the best solution to fix problems, said the company.

Moreover, it features virtualization capabilities, which allows software to perform functions handled by hardware equipment, to help mobile carriers on adopting new network technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, the company said.

SK Telecom in September exported TANGO to the Indian network market by forming a strategic partnership on network technology transfer with Bharti Airtel, the world’s third-largest mobile carrier by subscribers.

“The AI-assisted network operation technology based on big data analytics will play a vital role in the 5G era,” said Park Jin-hyo, senior vice president and head of Network Technology R&D Center at SK Telecom. “SK Telecom will continue to improve the functionality of TANGO aiming at providing the best-performing network for customers to enjoy,” Park added.

Shares of SK Telecom finished Thursday at 264,500 won ($233.45), down 3,000 won or 1.12 percent from the previous session.

By Seo Dong-cheol and Cho Jeehyun

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