$SKM

SK Telecom's average price target was reduced from $45.44 to $45.17 by 20 analysts, with a range of $22.62 to $60.31. This implies a 24% upside from the Oct. 5 closing price. The consensus rating remains 'Buy' among 21 analysts, with 15 Buys, 4 Holds, and 2 Sells, according to FactSet.

Vodafone Idea awarded Nokia a ₹13,500 crore contract to expand 4G and 5G networks in India. BharatNet secured ₹10,520 crore for rural broadband in Maharashtra. Nepal Telecom plans 200 new towers and 4G expansion to 1,597 locations.

South Korea's 'AI for All' initiative, led by SK Telecom, KT, and Kakao, will beta-test AI agents in October, targeting 15 million users by year-end. The government provides GPUs, requiring 50% use of domestic AI models. Each company offers unique AI services, leveraging their existing platforms. Budget of 250 billion won allocated for 2027. Concerns arise about competition with Meta's Muse.

Samsung Electronics has secured contracts with KT and SK Telecom for South Korea's Hyper AI Network program, testing AI-RAN in industrial settings. The two-year initiative, with a $12.7M budget, aims to validate AI systems in shipyards and petrochemical plants. Samsung will provide its NIS and CognitiV NOS stack for KT's project, while SK Telecom will compare multiple vendors, including Samsung. Field pilots are set to begin in October 2026.

Hana Securities recommended buying SK Telecom (017670.KS) with a 12-month target of ₩140,000. The brokerage expects Q3 earnings to meet expectations and sees catalysts like Anthropic's IPO and AI investments driving the stock higher. SK Telecom closed at ₩86,200 previously. The analyst cited full-year operating profit estimates of ₩2 trillion and dividend growth as reasons for the Buy rating.

Hana Securities bought SK Telecom (SKT) shares and kept a 140,000 won target price, citing strong Q3 performance and positive outlook. The firm expects gains from AI investments and IPO activities. SKT forecasts increased dividends post-Q4 tax-free dividends, with annual operating profit near 2 trillion won. Analysts predict AI business growth will boost dividends and stock price.

SK Telecom (SKT) and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) developed a digital twin to test quantum key distribution (QKD) networks virtually. The system connects SKT’s quantum key manager to KISTI’s QKD simulator, allowing operators to assess performance and configure equipment before physical deployment. SKT aims to create a scalable operating environment for QKD networks, with the demonstration aligning with ETSI standards.

SK Telecom expects a carbon credit shortfall of 357,403 metric tons this year, requiring purchases at tripled prices. The company's emissions rose 16.7% since 2019, driven by AI data centers. Free permits fell 10.1% year-over-year, and costs may increase further with planned expansions and stricter regulations.

SK Telecom (017670.KS), Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), and Hana Financial Group have completed a 5G private network for Hana's Cheongna HQ, covering 16 floors. The network supports 3,000 employees across 10 affiliates, offering secure, wireless access. SK Telecom aims to expand this technology to other industries, while Samsung Electronics supplied the core and radio solutions.

SK Telecom, Hana Financial Group, and Samsung Electronics launched Korea's first 5G private-network smart office. The network, built using dedicated frequencies, operates across 16 floors of Hana's headquarters, enhancing flexibility and security for employees. The project enables secure, wireless work environments for 10 affiliates, including Hana Bank, starting this month.