SK Telecom - Q3 2022
October 11, 2022
Transcript
Operator (participant)
안녕하십니까? 오늘 참석해 주신 여러분께 감사의 말씀을 드리며 지금부터 SK Telecom 2022년 3분기 실적발표 컨퍼런스콜을 시작하겠습니다. 오늘 컨퍼런스콜은 SK Telecom의 발표가 있은 후 참석해 주신 여러분을 모시고 질의응답 시간을 가질 예정입니다. 질문하실 분은 전화기 버튼의 별표와 일번을 눌러주시기 바랍니다. 그럼 지금부터 SK Telecom의 발표가 있겠습니다. Good morning and good evening. First of all, thank you all for joining this conference call. Now we will begin the conference call for the fiscal year 2022 Q3 earnings results by SK Telecom. This conference will start with a presentation followed by a divisional Q&A session. If you have a question, please press star one, that is star and one on your phone during the Q&A. Now we shall commence the presentation on the fiscal year 2022 Q3 earnings results by SK Telecom.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
안녕하십니까? SK텔레콤 IR 담당 정희준입니다. 바쁘신 와중에 오늘 SK텔레콤 실적발표 컨퍼런스콜에 참석해 주신 여러분들께 감사의 말씀을 드립니다.
Speaker 10
Good afternoon. I am Hee Joon Jung, IRO of SK Telecom. Thank you for joining SK Telecom's earnings conference call.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
본 컨퍼런스콜은 순차통역 방식을 통해서 2022년 3분기 실적 및 향후 경영계획과 전략 방향을 말씀드린 후에 질의응답 시간을 갖는 순서로 진행될 예정입니다.
Speaker 10
We're providing consecutive interpretation for the call, which will consist of a presentation on Q3 earnings highlights, future business plans and strategic directions, as well as the Q&A session.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
오늘 이 자리에는 SK텔레콤 CFO 겸 Corporate Planning 담당이신 김진원 센터장을 비롯해서 각 사업부별 관련 임원들이 함께 참석하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
The call is attended by our executives from relevant business divisions, including Jin-Won Kim, CFO and Head of Corporate Planning of SK Telecom.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
시작하기에 앞서 모든 향후 전망은 시장 상황 등의 변수에 따라 달라질 수 있다는 점을 고려해 주시기 바랍니다.
Speaker 10
Before we begin, I would like to remind you that all forward-looking statements are subject to change depending on market situations.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
네, 그럼 CFO의 말씀이 있겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Let me now present our CFO.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
네, 안녕하십니까? SK텔레콤 CFO 김진원입니다.
Speaker 10
Good afternoon. This is Jin-Won Kim, CFO of SK Telecom.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
SK텔레콤은 11월 1일부로 분할 일주년을 맞이하였습니다. 당사는 SKT 2.0 출범과 함께 통신 사업 내 여러 사업군 각각의 정당한 가치를 인정받고자 5대 사업군을 중심으로 업을 재정의하였고, 현재 어려운 대내외 환경에도 불구하고 안정적인 유무선 실적 기반 위에 통신 인접 영역에서의 신성장 사업에서도 본격적인 성과를 나타내고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
SK Telecom celebrated the first anniversary of the spin-off on November 1st. With the launch of SKT 2.0, we redefined our business into five business groups to ensure that each business group within the telecom business could enjoy fair recognition of its value in the market. Even though the circumstances surrounding our business continue to be challenging, we have produced meaningful results in the telecom-based new businesses on the back of stable, fixed and mobile business performance.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
과거 SK텔레콤의 전략이 새로운 산업으로의 활발한 진출이었다면, 향후 10년 SK텔레콤의 성장 스토리는 AI 대전환이라고 할 수 있겠습니다. 새로운 시대에는 고객 인게이지먼트가 중요하며, AI는 모든 산업을 변화시킬 잠재력을 가지고 있습니다. 당사는 지난 수년간 AI 역량을 집중해 온 만큼 앞으로도 AI Transformation을 통한 BM 혁신으로 더 높은 수익을 창출하고 이를 통해 기업 가치를 높여가고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
While the past strategy of SK Telecom was active expansion into new business areas, SK Telecom's growth story for the next decade can be summed up as AI transformation. Customer engagement is key in this new era, and AI has the potential to transform every industry. Against this backdrop, we have been focusing on building AI capabilities over the past years. Going forward, we aim to deliver better earnings with business model innovation through AI transformation, thereby enhancing our corporate value.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
당사는 기존의 핵심 사업들을 AI로 전환하여 새로운 성장 동력을 확보하고, AI 서비스로 고객과의 밀접한 관계를 형성하며, SK텔레콤이 가진 AI와 디지털 전환 역량을 확산시키는 AI X 전략을 통해 SK텔레콤만의 차별화된 AI Company 비전을 달성하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
SK Telecom will achieve a new vision of becoming a differentiated AI company. To this end, we will transform our core businesses into AI-based businesses to secure new growth drivers, offer AI services to deepen customer relations, and employ AI X strategy to spread SK Telecom's AI and digital transformation capabilities to other industries.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
그러면 먼저 2022년 3분기 연결 기준 재무실적에 대해 말씀드리겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Now let me report on the consolidated financial results of Q3 of 2022.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
매출은 전년 동기 대비 3.0%, 전분기 대비로는 1.2% 증가한 4조 3,434억 원을 기록하였습니다.
Speaker 10
Consolidated revenue reported KRW 4,343.4 billion, up 3.0% year-over-year and 1.2% Q-on-Q.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
영업이익은 시장 안정화 기조가 지속되는 가운데 전년 동기 대비 18.5% 증가한 4,656억 원을 기록하였습니다. 전분기 대비로도 5G 가입자 확대에 따른 매출 증가에 힘입어 1.3% 증가했습니다.
Speaker 10
Operating income posted KRW 465.6 billion, up 18.5% year-on-year on the back of continuous market stabilization. It also grew 1.3% Q-on-Q, mainly thanks to revenue growth supported by growing 5G subscribers.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
당기순이익은 하나카드 처분 손실 등을 반영하여 전년 동기 대비 66.7%, 전분기 대비로는 4.9% 감소한 2,456억 원을 기록하였습니다.
Speaker 10
Net income recorded KRW 245.6 billion, down 66.7% year-over-year, and 4.9% Q-on-Q, with a recognition of disposal losses of Hana Card, Hana Card card equity.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
별도 기준 매출은 전년 동기 대비 3.1%, 전분기 대비로는 0.1% 증가한 3조 1,226억 원을 기록하였고, 영업이익과 당기순이익은 각각 3,887억 원과 3,051억 원을 기록하였습니다.
Speaker 10
On a non-consolidated basis, revenue grew 3.1% year-over-year and 0.1% Q-on-Q to post KRW 3,122.6 billion. Operating income and net income reported KRW 388.7 billion and KRW 305.1 billion, respectively.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
이상으로 2022년 3분기 재무실적에 대한 설명을 마치고 주요 경영 성과 및 전략 방향에 대해 말씀드리겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Having reported on the financial highlights of Q3 2022, let me now move on to major achievements and strategic directions.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
당사는 지난 10월 한국산업의 고객만족도 1위에 올라 국가 고객 만족도 1위와 한국 서비스 품질 지수 1위에 이어 다시 한번 3대 국내 고객 만족도 조사, 이동통신 부문에서 23년 연속으로 그랜드슬램을 달성하게 되었습니다. 이러한 고객 사랑을 기반으로 당사의 3분기 말 기준 5G 가입자는 1,247만 명을 기록하였으며, 연말 목표 1,300만 명을 향해 순항 중입니다.
Speaker 10
Having ranked number one in the National Customer Satisfaction Index and the Korean Standard Service Quality Index, we ranked 1st again in the Korean Customer Satisfaction Index in October, thereby achieving grand slam in all three major customer satisfaction surveys in the mobile communication sector for 23 consecutive years. Thanks to strong customer support, the number of our 5G subscribers reached 12.47 million at the end of Q3, well on course to reach the annual target of 13 million.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
SK Broadband은 3분기 말 기준 925만 명의 유료방송 가입자를 확보하였습니다. 탄탄한 유료방송 가입자 기반과 엔데믹에 따른 영화 신작 개봉 증가로 콘텐츠 매출이 회복세를 나타내고 있으며, 앞으로도 다양한 콘텐츠 수급을 통해 이러한 추세가 이어질 전망입니다.
Speaker 10
The pay TV subscribers of SK Broadband reached 9.25 million as of the end of Q3. Content sales have seen a recovery trend thanks to the solid growth of the pay TV subscriber base and new film releases on the back of transition to the endemic. We expect that this growth trend will continue to be supported by diverse content offerings.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
또한 당사의 LED 월 기반 미디어 콘텐츠 제작소 TEAM studio는 지난 6월 개관 후 국내 주요 버추얼 프로덕션 업체들과의 컨소시엄을 구성하여 초협력 기반 미디어 생태계 확장에 적극 나서고 있습니다. 당사는 TEAM studio를 통해 당사의 5G, AI, 클라우드 등 ICT 인프라 위에 미래형 디지털 콘텐츠 산업을 선도할 지적재산권, 시각 특수효과, 혼합현실 관련 플랫폼을 구축하는 등 미디어 콘텐츠 제작 패러다임을 이끌어나갈 계획입니다.
Speaker 10
Also, TEAM Studio, our LED wall-based media content production studio that opened in June, is actively expanding the media ecosystem based on hyper collaboration by creating a consortium with major virtual production companies in Korea. SK Telecom will lead the media content production paradigm by utilizing TEAM Studio. To this end, TEAM Studio will build intellectual property, VFX, and XR related platforms, which will lead the future digital content industry on top of SK Telecom's ICT infrastructure, such as 5G, AI, and cloud technologies.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
최근 시장의 관심이 높은 데이터센터 산업은 가산, 식사 데이터센터가 온 트랙으로 가동률과 매출을 높여가고 있으며, 서울 수도권과 부산을 중심으로 한 차기 데이터센터 준비도 대내외 환경을 잘 매니지하여 원활하게 진행 중에 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Moving on to our data center business, which receives much attention in the market recently. Growth of revenue and utilization rate is on track for Gasan and Siksa data centers. Preparations to open additional data centers in areas such as the Seoul Metropolitan area and Busan are well underway as we continue to manage the internal and external circumstances well.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
하이퍼 스케일러 중심으로 재편되고 있는 클라우드 시장에서 당사는 글로벌 CSP와의 초협력을 기반으로 빠르게 규모 확대가 가능한 MSP 사업과 MEC 인프라와 다양한 솔루션을 통합 패키지로 제공하는 Edge 클라우드 사업에 집중하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
As the cloud market is going through restructuring centered on hyperscalers, we're focusing on MSP business, which can expand quickly the scale through hyper collaboration with global CSPs. As well as edge cloud business that provides comprehensive packages that include MEC infrastructure and various solutions. Launched as an open beta version, a growing AI service named Adot is improving its service quality through constant enhancement. In order to transform Adot into a daily digital mate for customers, we are making continuous efforts, including the development of a daily service package that combines a wide range of everyday services. Celebrating the first anniversary in August, T Universe has become a leading subscription service in Korea with more than 1.4 million MAU by offering diverse services and benefits in connection with customers' lifestyles, including online and offline shopping, foods and beverages, and digital services.
Going forward, T Universe aims to evolve as a subscription commerce platform by expanding product lineup and partnerships and enhancing customer convenience. ifland reported 12.86 million cumulative downloads at the end of Q3. It introduced ifland point program to build a foundation for an economic system and opened ifland studio, where users can create avatar costumes to further expand the scope of production to lands and items in the future. Going forward, transactions using ifland points will be enabled as well. Moreover, in September, SK Telecom signed an MOU with e&, UAE's number one giant telecom company, which marks the beginning of global expansion of ifland, with the goal of launching metaverse services in 48 countries by the end of this year.
Connected intelligence business, including UAM, an integral part of future mobility, is a business that SK Telecom is pursuing with a sense of responsibility for the future of society and humanity. We believe that UAM will be a game changer that offers innovative services to customers, growth upside to investors, and convenient mobility services for society. Finally, for shareholder returns, the board determined Q3 DPS to be the same as Q1 and Q2 at KRW 831. SK Telecom will accelerate transformation into AI company through active cooperation with an investment in technology companies, as in the case of equity investment in Konan Technology, to secure core AI technologies and talent. In the process, we will do our best to achieve financial performance improvement and new business growth in order to maximize corporate value and shareholder value. We ask for your continued support and encouragement. Thank you.
Operator (participant)
We will now begin the Q&A session. Please press star one, that is star and one, if you have any questions. Questions will be taken according to the order you've pressed the number star one. For cancellation, please press star two, that is star and two, on your phone. The first question will be provided by Seyon Park from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead with your question.
Seyon Park (Equity Research Analyst)
질문 기회 주셔서 고맙습니다. 두 가지 질문이 있는데요. 첫 번째는 4분기 전망을 좀 묻고 싶습니다. 3분기 누적으로 보니까는 영업이익이 별도랑 연결 기준 둘 다 한 17%, 18% 그래도 잘 성장을 해오고 있는데, 4분기에 이런 좋은 추세를 좀 달리 가져갈 혹시 요인이 있는지 먼저 물어보고 싶고, 연말에 주로 조금 일회성 비용 같은 것도 발생하는 경우가 있는데, 그런 것들을 어느 정도 저희가 예상을 해야 되는지 좀 물어보고 싶고요. 4분기의 전망이 나오면은 대충 연간 전망도 나오긴 하는데, 같이 좀 부탁드리겠습니다.
두 번째 질문은 별도 무선 매출을 보면 로밍 매출을 언급을 하시는데, 로밍 매출이 지금 추세가 어떻게 되어 가고 있고, 우리가 코로나 전에 비교를 해봤을 때 지금 어느 정도가 회복이 돼 있고, 이게 향후에 가서 어느 정도 더 회복할 수 있는 여지가 있는지 물어보고 싶습니다. 고맙습니다.
Speaker 10
I am Seyon Park from Morgan Stanley. Thank you for taking my questions. I have two questions. The first question is related to the outlook for Q4. As we can see in Q3, the cumulative operating earnings has grown by 17% or 18% for the standalone and consolidated basis. It has shown a very good growth trend. I wonder if there may be other one-off factors that may change this growth trend in Q4. I expect that there will be some one-off expenses that will incur in Q4 as well. What will be the size of the one-off expenses to be recognized in Q4? Of course, when we get some idea about Q4 outlook, we'll be able to see an overall outlook for the entire year.
If you could provide us with some color on the full year earnings outlook, I would appreciate that. The second question is regarding your roaming revenue. You mentioned that there has been some roaming revenue increase on a standalone basis for your wireless MNO business. What is the overall trend for your roaming revenue? Compared to the pre-COVID-19 numbers, how much has been recovered and how much more recovery are you expecting?
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
네, 먼저 4분기 수익성 및 2022년 연간 실적 전망에 대해서 여쭤본 데 대해서 답변드리겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Thank you for your questions. I would first like to address your question on Q4 outlook and annual outlook.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
아마 이번 콘퍼런스에 참석해 주신 여러분들은 저희 회사의 분기별 실적 추이나 이런 것들에 대해서는 모두 익숙하실 거라고 생각이 듭니다.
Speaker 10
I'm sure many of you who are participating in this conference call are aware, well aware of our earnings trend on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
매출액 사에 대해서 보자면, 기존에 1분기에서 3분기까지의 추이가 4분기에도 이어질 거라는 거에 대해서는 큰 이견은 없을 것 같고요. 다만 비용적인 측면은 저희가 구조상 아마 예산이 확정되는 1분기에는 좀 슬로우하다가 4분기까지 오면서 좀 연간의 그 비용들이, 비용 집행이 4분기에 좀 집중되는 경향이 있습니다.
Speaker 10
When it comes to the revenue trend, I believe that this trend for revenue side from Q1 all the way to Q3 will continue into Q4. When it comes to the expenses or costs, there are some structural factors that will lead to more expenses recognized in Q4 compared to Q1.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
외주 용역비라든지 일반 수수료, 광고 선전비, 임대료나 관리비 등이 있는 그런 항목들인데요. 올해도 아마도 이런 비용들은 4분기에 종전과 동일한 패턴으로 집행될 것으로 예상됩니다.
Speaker 10
Such expense categories include outsourced services, general fees and commissions, advertising and promotion costs, rents and other maintenance costs. These will be recognized in Q4 as has been in the case for the past years.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
여러분도 지금 잘 아시는 것처럼 작년 4분기에는 주식 보상에 따른 일회성 인건비가 반영된 바 있습니다. 다만 올해에는 다른 사항들은 인플레이션 상황이기 때문에 물가에 영향을 받은 일부 비용의 인상이 있을 걸로 예상은 되지만, 전년 대비로 보면, YOY로 봤을 때는 수익성 개선에는 어느 정도 문제없을 것으로 보고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
I would also like to remind you that in Q4 of last year, there was one-off labor expense recognition due to stock option and payout. This year, we expect that there will be some impact coming from the rising inflation and the cost of living. On a year-over-year basis, we believe that the bottom line will improve as expected.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
저희가 비록 연초에 올해 연간의 영업이익에 대한 가이던스를 드리진 않았지만, 매출 성장과 비용 통제 모두 계획한 대로 가고 있어서 연간 영업이익에 대한 성장세를 봤을 때 저희가 내부적으로 목표하고 있는 영업이익의 목표는 온 트랙으로 진행 중이다라고 말씀드리겠습니다.
Speaker 10
While we did not provide guidance on the operating income in the beginning of this year, our revenue growth trend and the cost management trends have all been on track. We believe that our internal guidance and target for the operating income is going to be achieved.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
내년 이후에도 전기료 인상 등과 같은 물가 상승세는 당분간 좀 이어질 것으로 보고 있고요. 이런 예상에도 불구하고 효율적인 비용 집행을 통해서 수익성에 미치는 영향을 최소화할 수 있도록 계속 노력하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Going forward, we expect that prices, including the electricity price, will continue to rise as a result of rising inflation. Therefore, we will continue to make efforts to increase our expense efficiency and cost efficiency so that there will be minimal impact from such price increases on our earnings.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
로밍 매출의 현황과 전망에 대해서 여쭤보셨는데요. 코로나로 인해서 가장 그 비즈니스 구조상 봤을 때 해외여행객에 의존하고 있는 비즈니스 구조상으로 봤을 때 코로나로 인한 다이렉트로 영향을 받은 것이 로밍 매출이 아닌가 싶습니다.
Speaker 10
Your next question was about our roaming revenue. As you can see, roaming is a business model that has been affected the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic because roaming revenue depends on the people who are traveling overseas.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
2021년 작년으로 봤을 때 보면, 연간으로 봤을 때 코로나 이전 2019년 상황과 비교해 보면, 로밍 매출은 2019년 대비로 보면 15% 수준에 머무른 것이 사실입니다.
Speaker 10
In 2021, the annual roaming revenue was only 15% of what we had in 2019.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
올해 들어서 코로나 상황이 많이 개선이 되고 있고, 주요 선진국들은 이미 여행 규제나 이런 것들을 완화한 데다가 저희 나라도 마찬가지로 순차적으로 계속 풀고 있어서 출장자와 해외여행객이 늘어남에 따라서 로밍 매출도 턴어라운드 양상을 보이고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
This year, there have been many lifting of COVID related restrictions, and such is the case in many advanced countries. Therefore, there is an increasing trend for business travelers and tourists. We have seen a turnaround in our roaming revenue trend as well.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
저희 3분기 로밍 매출도 전년 동기로 보면 약 3배 정도 증가한 수준이고요. 코로나가 본격화된 2020년 1분기 이후로는 가장 높은 실적을 기록했습니다. 더불어서 저희가 이제 해외여행객을 겨냥한 로밍 전용 요금제인 baro 요금제를 강화하고 있고요. 로밍 할인 프로모션 같은 것도 활발하게 마케팅을 하고 있어서 이런 부분들이 현재 증가세를 보이고 있는 로밍 매출에 영향을 미치고 있다고 보고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Thanks to this turnaround trend, in Q3, our roaming revenue has achieved a threefold increase on a year-over-year basis, and this is the highest roaming revenue since Q1 of 2020 when the COVID situation worsened. We have been strengthening the baro price plan, which is an exclusive roaming price plan for overseas travelers, and we have been executing various marketing activities, including promotions. I believe that these activities have resulted in the recovery in the roaming revenue.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
아직 충분하게 여행객들이 활발하게 과거 수준까지 회복되진 않았지만, 과거하고 다른 패턴을 약간 보이고 있는 부분들은, 최근 과거에 여행객 중에서 로밍을 사용했던 비율이 과거 대비 한 50% 가까이 많은 분들이 그 로밍 서비스를 이용하고 있다 보니까, 로밍 여행객이 늘어나는 것과 비교해서 로밍 수입은 좀 더 가파르게, 빠르게 지금 증가하고 있는 모습을 보이고 있는 것이 과거와는 다른 특징이고요. 본격적인 해외여행을 앞두고 로밍 이용자들의 고객 경험을 지속적으로 개선해서 고객기반을 확대하고 매출 회복 시점을 빨리 앞당기는 것이 저희 로밍 사업에서의 목표라고 하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
While overseas travel has not recovered to the level of pre-COVID era, we have seen a change in the patterns of roaming usage because, compared to the past, we have seen an increase in the number of people who are using the roaming services by 50%. This has led to an increase in the roaming revenue, which is quite different from the past patterns. As we expect that there will be full opening of overseas travel, we will continue to improve the customers experiences for using roaming services so that we can expand our roaming customer base and increase our revenue.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
네, 이상입니다. 감사합니다.
Speaker 10
Thank you.
Operator (participant)
다음으로 질문해 주실 분은 이베스트투자증권의 이승웅 님입니다. The following question will be presented by Seung Woo Lee from eBEST Investment & Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Seung Woo Lee (Analyst)
네, 안녕하세요. 이베스트투자증권 이승웅입니다. 저도 두 가지 질문드리겠습니다. 일단 코난테크놀로지에 대해서 지분 인수한 배경이 좀 궁금하고요. 또 아무래도 AI 컴퍼니로 진화하기 위해서 향후에 AI 분야에서 좀 적극적인 협력이랑 시너지가 예상되는데 향후 전망에 대해서 말씀을 해주시면 감사하겠습니다. 그리고 또 하나는 UAM 관련해서 9월이랑 10월에 소식이 좀 있었는데, 지금 이 사업 준비 현황을 좀 말씀해 주시면 감사하겠고요. 또 2025년에 상용화를 말씀을 해주시고 계셔서 시간이 좀 남아있는 상태인데 중장기적인 로드맵도 좀 같이 공유해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
I am Seung Woo Lee from eBEST Investment & Securities. I also have two questions. The first question is that I like to understand the background behind your decision to make equity investment in Konan Technology. I understand that you're trying to make this transition to an AI company, and I believe that such investment will bring about more cooperation and synergetic effect. What are you expecting from this partnership? The second question is related to your UAM business, and there was some news updates in October and September regarding your UAM initiative, and I'd like to know the current status. You mentioned that you are aiming to commercialize the UAM service in 2025, and we still have a couple of years before that. What is your overall medium and long-term roadmap? Thank you.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
네, 코난테크놀로지 지분 인수 배경과 전략에 대해서 먼저 설명을 드리고, 이어서 UAM 사업에 대해서는 저희 UAM 사업을 지금 해외 사업자인 Joby라든지 이런 국내 사업자들과의 컨소시엄을 리드하고 계시는 하민용 CDO께서 이어서 설명드리는 순서로 진행하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Thank you for your questions. I would first like to address your question related to our investment in Konan Technology. Next, Mr. Ha Min-yong, head of Corporate Development, who is working on building a consortium with Joby and other partners for UAM business, will address your second question.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
먼저 코난인데요. 지난번에 공지 드린 것처럼 회사는 10월 27일에 국내 AI 기술 기업인 코난테크놀로지 지분 20.8%를 확보하였고, 확보와 동시에 양사 간의 AI 기술 협력을 포함한 전략적 파트너십을 체결한 바 있습니다.
Speaker 10
As we announced on October 27th, we acquired 20.8% of equity stake in Konan Technology, which is a specialized AI company in Korea. We also have formed a strategic partnership that includes AI technology cooperation.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
지금 회사가 추진하고 있는 AI 컴퍼니로의 진화 발전을 위해서 회사는 여러 가지 사업들, 또 기술 발전들을 검토하고 있는데요. 특히 에이닷이라든지 AI 음성 영상 처리 그리고 Vision AI 등 다양한 AI 사업을 현재 진행 중에 있고요. 관련 고도화를 추진 중에 있습니다. 이 과정에서 사실 제일 중요한, 필요하고 중요한 부분들이 AI 기술과 관련된 역량과 스킬셋 부분이고요. 이를 확보하기 위해서 저희 내부적으로 역량을 육성하는 한편으로 외부 인재 채용을 통해서 확보를 하고 있는데, 사실상 국내 AI 기술과 인력 확보가 쉽지만은 않은 상황입니다. 그런 역량을 가진 기술 인력들도 좀 많이 부족한 상황이고요. 이러한 어려운 국내 시장을 감안해 봤을 때, 저희가 봤을 때 오랜 업력과 독보적 기술력을 가지고 있는 코난 테크놀로지가 저희의 AI 전략 방향에서 중요한 애셋이 될 수 있을 거라고 평가했습니다.
Speaker 10
In order to achieve our AI company transformation, we have been carrying out and promoting various AI businesses, including Adot, AI Audio and Text Processing, and Vision AI, and we have been working to sophisticate our capabilities. In order to have the successful transformation, we need to have a right set of skill sets as well as AI technologies. To this end, we have been building our own internal capabilities and hiring experts from the outside. However, it has not been easy to acquire good pool of professionals who are specialized in AI and relevant technologies. Given this challenge, we determined that investing in Konan Technology, who has proprietary technology and a long history of business, will be able to add important contribution to our AI asset.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
코난테크놀로지는 사실상 1999년에 설립된 회사인데요. 이 회사는 AI 원천 기술을 바탕으로 하는 특히 텍스트 AI와 비디오 AI 기술에서 독보적인 기술을 가지고 있는 것으로 인정을 받고 있고요. 전체 구성원의 과반수가 R&D 인력입니다. 이에 따라서 저희가 코난테크놀로지의 약 20%라고 하면 significant한 minority라고 생각이 들고요. 이런 지분을 보유함으로써 사업적인 시너지 및 인력 교류 측면에서 훨씬 더 유리할 것으로 판단이 돼서 이러한 전략적 투자를 결정하게 되었습니다.
Speaker 10
Konan Technology was established in 1999 and based on their core AI technologies, they have been recognized for excellent text AI and video AI technologies, and more than half of their personnel are R&D professionals. Therefore, we determined that having the equity ownership, which is about 20%, we believe this is a significant minority shareholding of Konan Technology, is going to be beneficial for us in terms of business synergy and human resources exchanges, and that is why we've decided to go ahead with this investment.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
회사는 이번 투자를 통해서 AI 기술의 핵심 기술을 보유하고 역량을 강화하는 데 기여할 것으로 기대를 하고 있고요. 투자 직후에 양사는 공동 시너지 TF를 이미 발족했고, AI 전문 인력 교류를 통해서 다양한 AI 프로젝트를 공동 수행해 나갈 계획입니다. 이런 양사의 기술력과 경험을 바탕으로 해서 저희가 이제 추진하고 있는 AICC, 그다음에 Vision AI 반도체, 디지털 트윈 등 AI 시너지를 구체화해 나갈 계획입니다.
Speaker 10
We expect that this investment is going to contribute to strengthening our AI core technologies and capabilities. Right after this deal was closed, the two companies started a joint synergy task force team and we're going to carry out joint AI projects based on AI professional and talent exchanges. We will continue to build on specific AI synergy plans based on our own technologies and experiences so that we can promote AICC, VisionAI Semiconductor, and digital twin businesses.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
여기 이 자리에 지금 저희 경영 전략 담당인 최완석 담당께서와 저 같이 함께 자리하고 계시는데요. 여러분들의 이해를 좀 돕기 위해서 추가적으로 저희 AI 전략 방향에 대해서 좀 추가적인 설명을 드리는 걸로 하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Here with us, we have Mr. Choi Hwanseok, Head of Corporate Strategy Office. He's going to give you more details about our AI strategy.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
예, 안녕하세요. 경영 전략 담당 최완석이라고 합니다. AI 전략에 대해서 부연 설명드리도록 하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Hello, I am Choi Hwanseok, Head of Corporate Strategy Office. Let me give you some more details about our AI strategy.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
저희 SK텔레콤은 SKT 2.0의 비전으로서 기술과 서비스로 고객을 이롭게 하는 AI 컴퍼니로 도약을 지향하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
As for our vision of SKT 2.0, we have this vision of becoming an AI company that benefits customers with technology and services.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
이를 위한 방향으로 크게 세 가지 정도 전략을 생각하고 있는데요. 먼저 첫 번째는 유무선 통신, 미디어, 엔터프라이즈 등 기존에 저희가 가진 핵심 사업들, 이 사업들을 고객 관점에서 AI로 재정의하고 비즈니스 모델을 혁신하는 것을 생각하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
In order to achieve this vision, we have set forth with three strategies. The first one is that, we are going to redefine our core existing businesses, just such as fixed and mobile and media and enterprise centered around AI, and we're going to innovate business models from the perspective of customers.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
예를 들면, 지금 저희 SK 텔레콤의 고객이 저희 서비스와 제품을 탐색하고 가입하고 이용하는 전 과정, 이 과정을 온라인에서 막힘없이 이용할 수 있도록 기존과 다른 전체 프로세스를 AI 관점에서 개선하고 적용하고자 하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
To be specific, we would like to make sure that SKT customers are able to search for services and products and go all the way to subscribing for such services and using them. This entire process should be provided seamlessly on the online platform. To do that, we're going to reform and revise our entire processes and apply AI in this process.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
두 번째 방향은 저희가 이미 출시한 바 있는 A.이나 T Universe, ifland 등 이런 새로운 서비스들에 AI 기술과 콘텐츠를 적용해서 새로운 고객 관계를 만들고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
Our second strategy is to apply technology and content to AI-based services that we have already launched, including Adot, T Universe, and ifland, in order to transform our customer relations.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
우선 A.은 고객의 이용을 끌어내기 위해서 킬러 서비스를 중점적으로 발굴하고 적용하는 데 힘을 쏟고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
For instance, Adot is focused on developing and introducing killer services to induce more customer usage.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
T Universe의 경우는 전용 플랫폼을 구축해서 AI를 통해서 최적의 구독 상품을 안내하는 형태의 서비스도 진행하고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
We would also like to use T Universe, which will have its own platform to curate the right subscription products for our customers using AI.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
세 번째 방향은 AI 또는 DT라고 표현하는데요. AI 또는 DT가 필요한 타 인더스트리에서 그에 적합한 기업을 찾아서 투자하고 당사가 가지고 있는 AI DT 역량을 적용하고 확산하는 AI X입니다.
Speaker 10
The third strategy is called AI X. It means that we will identify industries where they need AI application or digital transformation. We're going to identify companies that we can invest, and we will apply our AI and digital transformation capabilities to expand such capabilities to other industries.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
예를 들어서, 로봇 제조 산업 같은 경우는 로봇이나 Vision AI 기술을 통해서 생산성을 높이는 활동을 한다든가, X Caliber, 그러니까 저희 SKT가 내놓은 동물 영상 진단 플랫폼인데요. 이런 거와 같이 AI 기술을 접목해서 서비스를 업그레이드하는 이런 활동들을 적극적으로 하고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
For instance, in the manufacturing sector, robot and Vision AI can be applied to increase manufacturing productivity, and also we can apply an AI technology such as X Caliber, which is a video diagnosis tech solution offered by SK Telecom to upgrade services.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
이러한 AI company로 진화를 하기 위해서 많은 AI 기술 역량이 필요로 하는데요. 이런 기술 역량을 확보도 하고 더 밀접한 사업제를 추진하기 위해서 AI 스타트업 투자나 전략적 협업을 향후에도 적극적으로 계속 진행할 예정입니다.
Speaker 10
In order to have successful transformation into AI company, we need to secure core technologies and capabilities. In this regard, we will continue to invest in AI startups and forge strategic cooperation with these companies.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
이번 Konan Technology 지분 투자와 협력도 이러한 AI 역량을 확보하는 차원으로 이해해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Against this backdrop, I hope that you will understand that our investment in Konan Technology is one good instance where we have made this investment to secure AI capabilities.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
전체적으로 저희가 추구하는 AI 전략은 신규 사업을 의미하는 것은 아닙니다.
Speaker 10
In short, our AI strategy does not involve starting new businesses.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
유무선 통신이나 엔터프라이즈 등 기존 핵심 사업들을 포함해서 현재의 비즈니스 모델을 AI로 혁신하는 게 첫 번째고요.
Speaker 10
Rather, we would like to innovate our business models using AI, which include our core businesses such as fixed and mobile and enterprise.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
AI가 적용되는 서비스로 새로운 고객들을 만드는 게 두 번째고, 마지막으로 설명드렸던 것처럼 AI X를 통해서 신성장 동력을 확보하고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
Secondly, we are going to apply AI for various services so that we can deepen customer relations. Finally, we would like to employ the AI X strategy to secure new growth drivers.
Choi Hwanseok (VP of Corporate Strategy)
예, 감사합니다.
Speaker 10
Thank you.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
다음은 UAM 사업 현황과 전략 방향성, 그리고 중장기 로드맵에 대해서 말씀드리겠습니다. 저희 회사는 연결이라는 고유의 가치에 인텔리전스를 더한 Connected Intelligence를 SKT 2.0의 5대 사업군에 포함시켜 미래 성장을 준비 중입니다. UAM 사업은 정부의 로드맵에 맞춰 2025년에 국내 최초로 상용화를 하는 것을 목표로 준비 중입니다.
Speaker 10
Let me now address your question related to the UAM business status and overall strategic direction and the medium and long-term roadmap. We aim to add intelligence to our intrinsic core business value of connection. Therefore, we have included Connected Intelligence as part of the five business groups under SKT 2.0. We are planning to commercialize the UAM service for the first time in Korea in 2025, in accordance with the government's roadmap.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
준비 현황에 대해 간단히 말씀드리겠습니다. 당사는 글로벌 넘버원 기체 제조사인 Joby Aviation과의 파트너십과 한화시스템, 한국공항공사, 한국교통연구원, 한국기상산업기술원 등과 같은 회사들과의 컨소시엄을 결성하여 국내 UAM 상용화를 준비 중에 있고, K-UAM Grand Challenge 1단계 사업에 참여하며 관련 기술의 완성도와 사업 역량을 높여 나가고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Let me discuss how we are preparing for this UAM business. First of all, we are working to commercialize the UAM service in Korea by forging a partnership with Joby Aviation, which is globally number one aircraft manufacturer, as well as establishing a consortium with many stakeholders including Hanwha Systems, Korea Airport Corporation, Korea Transport Institute, and Korea Meteorological Industry Technology Institute. We have also been participating in the first stage of K-UAM Grand Challenge in order to advance our technologies and business capabilities.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
지난 8월에는 Grand Challenge 실증이 진행되고 있는 전남 고흥 지역에 참여 기업 전체를 위한 5G 상공망 구축을 완료하였으며, 9월에는 제주특별자치도, 10월에는 대구광역시와 순차적으로 UAM 시범사업을 위한 업무 협약을 체결하였습니다.
Speaker 10
For instance, in August this year, we completed the construction of the 5G airspace network for all of those who are participating in the K-UAM Grand Challenge demonstration project that is taking place in Goheung in Jeonnam Province. Also, in September, as well as in October, we have signed an MOU with Jeju Special Self-Governing Province as well as Daegu Metropolitan City respectively in order to pursue cooperation for UAM pilot projects.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
당사의 경쟁력과 관련해서는 UAM 특화 상공망 구축에서 핵심적인 역할을 수행할 수 있는 세계 최고의 통신 기술을 보유하고 있고, UAM과 지상교통을 연결, 연계하는 서비스는 물론 모빌리티 데이터 분석을 통해 최적의 경로를 제공할 수 있는 기술을 보유하고 있으며, 상용화 기체를 적시에 도입할 수 있는 Joby와의 파트너십 등 강점을 적극 활용하여 사업을 주도하고자 합니다.
Speaker 10
Moving on to our competitive strength. We first of all have the world renowned telecommunications technology so that we can play a key role in establishing and building a specialized airspace network for UAM services. We are also capable of providing connection between UAM and ground transportation. We have technology that can offer best routes based on mobility data analysis. We have a partnership with Joby Aviation so that we can introduce UAM aircraft when needed. Based on these competitive advantages, we're going to pursue this UAM business.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
이 외에도 UAM 실증사업과 시범사업을 위하여 서비스, 인프라, 사업 역량 등 다양한 측면에서 준비에 만전을 기하고 있으며, 반도체, 배터리, 투자 등 관계사 역량과 컨소시엄 파트너 역량을 결집하여 사업의 기반을 강화하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
In addition, we are making all the necessary preparations in terms of services, infrastructure, and business capabilities so that these demonstration project and pilot projects can be carried out successfully. We're also building a foundation for UAM business by strengthening capabilities with various stakeholders, including semiconductor companies, battery companies and investment partners. We are going to continue to utilize all the capabilities available from the consortium partners.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
UAM의 수익화 BM과 관련해서는 서비스를 이용한 고객의 운임을 UAM 운항자, 버티포트 운영자, 교통관리 서비스 제공자 등이 배분을 하는 것을 골자로 하지만 아직 상용화 전이므로 다양한 방법을 고민하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
When it comes to the monetization business model of UAM, the basic idea is to share the service fees paid by customers with UAM operators, vertiport operators, and traffic control service providers and other participants. However, UAM has not been commercialized yet, so we are working on and devising various options for this business model.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
2025년에 상용화를 달성하기 위한 중장기 로드맵 간단히 말씀드리겠습니다. 2023년에는 Grand Challenge 1단계 개발지 실증이 진행될 예정이고, 2024년도에는 Grand Challenge 2단계 도심지 실증이 진행될 예정입니다. 이를 기반으로, 2025년에 시범 서비스를 시작하여 상용화하는 것을 목표로 준비를 하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Let me now give you some medium- to long-term roadmap for the UAM business. In 2023, the first stage Grand Challenge will be done in terms of demonstration project in the open ground, and the second stage Grand Challenge will take place in the urban area in 2024. Our goal is to launch a pilot commercial UAM service in 2025.
Ha Min-yong (Chief Development Officer)
이상입니다.
Speaker 10
Thank you.
Hee Joon Jung (Investor Relations Officer)
다음으로 질문해 주실 분은 미래에셋증권의 김수진 님입니다. The following question will be presented by Sujin Kim from Mirae Asset Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Sujin Kim (Analyst)
네, 안녕하세요. 질문 기회 주셔서 감사합니다. 제가 질문드릴 내용은 두 가지인데요. 첫 번째로 구독 관련해서 최근에 T Universe 서비스 같은 경우에 서비스 업데이트도 있었고, 그 숫자들도 나오고 있는 것 같은데 구독 서비스가 실제로 수익에 정량적으로 어떻게 기여하고 있는지 궁금하고요. 향후에 추가적으로 계획하고 계신 서비스가 어떤 게 있는지 여쭤보고 싶습니다. 그리고 두 번째로는요. Metaverse ifland 같은 경우에 최근에 사용자 수가 상당히 안정적으로 증가하는 추세고, 글로벌 진출도 한다는 말씀을 해주셨는데, 글로벌 전략 등을 통한 향후 전망과 실제로 ifland가 이제 실적에 기여하는 부분 등에 대해서 업데이트 부탁드리겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Hello, thank you for taking my questions. I have two questions. The first question is related to your subscription business. I can see that there was a major update of services for T Universe, and as a result, there's been an increasing trend of T Universe subscribers. I wonder how much of a profit or revenue contribution is coming from T Universe, and what is your overall plan for service and other updates? The second question is related to your Metaverse platform called ifland. I can see that there has been an unstable increase in the number of users of ifland, and you mentioned that you are planning for global expansion. What is your overall outlook for ifland, and how much of an earnings contribution are you expecting from ifland?
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
네, 현재 이 자리에는 저, 구독 사업을 리드하고 계시는 구독 마케팅 담당이신 윤재웅 담당님과 ifland 사업을 담당하고 계시는 양맹석 담당께서 지금 다 자리를 하고 계십니다. 그래서 순차적으로 구독 사업과 ifland에 대한 답변을 드리도록 하겠습니다.
Speaker 10
Here with us, we have Mr. Yoon Jae-woong, Head of Subscription Service Marketing Office, who is in charge of the subscription service, and Mr. Yang Maeng-seok, Head of Metaverse Company, who is dealing with ifland business. They're going to answer your questions in a consecutive manner.
Yoon Jae-woong (Head of Subscription Service Marketing Office)
안녕하십니까? 구독부터 먼저 말씀드리도록 하겠습니다. 구독 사업은 2022년 3분기까지 GMV가 4,000억 원을 돌파하면서 지속적으로 유의미한 실적을 확보 중이고, 연말까지 GMV 5,600억 원은 무난히 달성할 것으로 예상하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Let me comment on your question related to our subscription business. Our subscription business has reached KRW 400 billion of GMV in Q3 of 2022, showing a substantial improvement in its performance. We expect that the subscription business GMV will reach about KRW 560 billion by the end of this year.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
T Universe는 3분기 말에 월간 실 이용자 기준으로 약 140만 명을 돌파했습니다. 이는 당사 출시했던 비통신 서비스 중에서 가장 빠르고 큰 규모입니다. 특히 이용자 중에서 20대, 40대 고객 비중이 70% 이상을 차지하고 있고, 비대면 채널 가입이 48% 이상으로 젊은 세대와 비대면 중심으로 가입이 이루어지고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
As of the end of Q3, on a monthly user basis, T Universe has about 1.4 million users, and this growth trend is the fastest of all the non-telecom services that we have launched in the past. In particular, it is noteworthy to mention that about 70% of the users are in their twenties all the way to the forties, and more than 48% of the subscriptions have been done through online channels, which shows that these T Universe services are appealing to the younger generation that are able to utilize online services.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
제휴처인 T Universe Partners의 경우에는 2021년 말에 36개였는데 3분기 말에는 74개로 두 배 이상 증가를 했습니다.
Speaker 10
When it comes to the number of partners for T Universe, it used to be 36 in Q2, but we have 74 already.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
T Universe는 출시 이후에 지속적으로 상품 라인업과 고객 혜택을 확대하고 있습니다. 지난 6월에는 Universe Pass Life, 7월에는 Universe Pass Slim, 거기에 이어서 9월에는 연간 구독과 공유하기를 출시했습니다. 이런 신규 라인업의 실 이용자가 단기간에 20만 명을 돌파해서 좋은 반응을 얻고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Since its launch, T Universe has been expanding its product lineup and customer benefits. We launched Universe Pass Life in June and Universe Pass Slim in July, and we also started to offer annual subscription and the function of sharing in September. The actual number of users for these new products and services have reached more than 200,000, receiving good response from the market.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
이 외에도 올해 안에 구독 상품 선물하기 그리고 배송형 구독 상품 등을 론칭하기 위해서 준비 중에 있고요. 이 같은 사용자 가치 제공을 통해서 향후 더 큰 성장을 좀 기대하고 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Furthermore, within this year, we're going to launch subscription product, gifting services, and delivery type subscription products. By continuing to enhance such user value, we expect to achieve a bigger growth.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
수익 측면에서 말씀을 드리면 이 T Universe는 모든 상품들이 유닛당 마진은 좀 플러스로 설계가 되어 있습니다.
Speaker 10
Now, moving on to the profitability of T Universe, I'd like to mention that each product unit is designed with a plus margin.
Jin-Won Kim (CFO and Head of Corporate Planning)
이 T Universe 구독 상품들이 이게 고객이 내는 그 비용에 비해서 파격적인 혜택을 제공하면서도 수익화가 가능한 배경은 당사가 기 보유한 구독 상품 기획 운영 노하우하고 빌링 고객 관리 인프라를 기반으로 당사의 다양한 온오프라인 채널과 방대한 고객 데이터를 활용해서 파트너의 상품을 적극적으로 마케팅해 줌으로 인해서 우리 투자 비용을 최소화하면서 파트너와 최호의 계약을 이끌어냈기 때문입니다.
Speaker 10
T Universe subscription products offer much more benefits than what the customers have to pay, and this structure has been made possible because we have the existing know-how in terms of production, subscription, product planning and operation, and the billing and customer management infrastructure. We have also been able to utilize a massive amount of customer data that we have accumulated through online and offline channels. We have been using these customer data to actively promote and market partners' products. As a result, we were able to minimize our own investment while bringing out the best terms and conditions of contracts with partners. However, the profit generated from T Universe has been reinvested to improve our marketing and service development to extend the subscription base so that we can have more competitive subscription services.
However, going forward, starting from next year, I believe that this will bring about more earnings contribution. In the medium to long-term, we wish to continue to generate profit from the T Universe subscription services by generating KRW 1 trillion of GMV. For that, between 2022 and 2023, we wish to achieve a twofold growth in terms of T Universe customers and the number of products. By the end of 2023, we wish to transform the T Universe into an open type subscription commerce platform.
Thank you.
Hello, I'm Yang Maeng-seok, Head of Metaverse Company. Let me first comment on the current status. In September, we introduced a major service update to strengthen the metaverse ecosystem. We introduced the ifland point program that is used for user reward and host sponsorship.
This is the beginning of the introduction of the Metaverse economic ecosystem. We also launched the ifland studio, where users can create their own avatar costumes. We have introduced a lounge function for first time visitors. All of these functions that are part of this major update have enhanced the user participation and increased service accessibility. We also have been continuing to expand the content ecosystem of ifland by collaborating with various content companies and creators. We are offering a singing room, a music show, a musical and other original content on a regular basis. We also offer opportunities for fans to communicate with famous artists through ultra-immersive virtual concert format. Thanks to these constant improvements, we reached 12 million cumulative users by the end of September and continuing our growth trend.
Our priority now is to expand the subscriber base, and we will continue to expand the economic system on the Metaverse. Let me now discuss your question related to the global expansion of Metaverse. SK Telecom will launch ifland services in 48 countries within November. To this end, we have been developing various content and other relevant functions. We've been closely collaborating with major telecom companies in these regions so that we can secure ifland customer base in these areas. At the time of the global launch, we will add more languages to support ifland services, and we're also going to implement a major service update that will allow the creation of various avatars in different skin colors and hairstyles and fashion.
We're going to utilize a K-pop and other globally popular IP or intellectual property for our marketing activities, so that we can create a social metaverse where global users can communicate with one another beyond national borders. After the global service launch, out of the 48 countries, we will see which countries are showing the most response to this ifland services, and we're going to execute some events in these markets.
Secondly, we're going to utilize the knowledge and understanding of the local customers and services that our partner companies possess. We're going to pursue some customization of ifland functions and promote content co-production and marketing to target the local customers. These are going to help offer more differentiated experiences for the local customers in these markets. One good example of our cooperation with a major global telecom company is that in September, SK Telecom signed an MOU with e& Group, which is a leading telecom company in the UAE, and we operated the metaverse booth together at GITEX to promote ifland services. Furthermore, we are now under discussions of specific partnerships with other major global telecom companies.
Operator (participant)
The following question will be presented by Neale Anderson from HSBC. Please go ahead with your question.
Neale Anderson (Head of APAC Telecoms Research)
Thank you very much. Good afternoon. Just have one question, please, and it relates to capital allocation. As this call has demonstrated, you're investing in a very wide range of projects, and they have very different return timelines and presumably capital intensity. Could you explain how you think about that at the group level? Particularly if you have any balance sheet parameters or return parameters you consider when making these investments. Thank you.
Speaker 10
Often in the market, there's a recognition that SK Telecom is an MNO business or a telco. When you take a look at our business portfolio, we not only have MNO, but also B2B, media, enterprise and other new businesses, including Aiverse. Because we have these diverse businesses, their customer profiles and their markets are quite different, and the level of maturity for these businesses is also quite different. Therefore, naturally, we have different expectations in terms of capital return and the performance of these businesses. For instance, Aiverse is a very new business and it is in the beginning stage, and we're focusing on securing a critical mass for our business, and we're working on how to monetize from this business. Of course, our most competitive advantage is our MNO business.
We have competitive network infrastructure and the platform, and we're going to utilize these network competitiveness and platform to create synergies by expanding into the relevant business areas. Therefore, in making capital investments and other investments for these businesses, we will continue to keep in mind investment efficiency and growth contribution. Therefore, after the spin-off of SK Telecom, we redefined our business into five business groups, and we have been working to establish the most optimal systems for each of these businesses, and these are part of our SKT 2.0 paradigm.
Of course, there may be many different strategies and methodologies we can apply to achieve our vision, but when it comes to the investment, we will focus on identifying investment areas that have the most growth potential, mainly media and enterprise and AI first, because these are all relevant to our core businesses. Under this overall direction, we're going to put priority on business areas that have direct relevance to our core businesses, where we can create synergies. We're going to execute investments in a reasonable manner by looking at various factors. Of course, our ultimate goal is to enhance corporate value, and we're going to consider our financial situation and re-available resources so that we can make investments that can be welcomed by the market. Thank you. This concludes the earnings conference call for Q3 of 2022 of SK Telecom. Thank you.