The market data was revealed in second quarter results which showed that for the quarter ended 30 June 2019, the telco recorded revenue of KRW 4.437 trillion, operating income of KRW 322.8 billion, and net income of KRW 259.1 billion.

On a consolidated basis, this meant that SK Telecom’s revenue and operating income increased by 2.4% and 0.1% respectively, quarter-on-quarter (QoQ). This also showed a revenue turnaround in mobile communications business and growth in media, security and commerce businesses.

Media demonstrated both quantitative and qualitative growth in the second quarter backed by the increase of IPTV and Ultra HD subscribers. The line’s revenue increased by 15.2% year-on-year (YoY) and 2.1% QoQ to KRW 322.1 billion.

SK Telecom added that its media business is preparing for a giant leap in the second half of 20189 when it will introduce a representative OTT service in Korea by integrating the oksusu and POOQ businesses. It will also drive a merger between SK Broadband and t-broad, a multiple system operator (MSO), to create a total media company with more than 8 million subscribers.

In 5G, the second half of this year, SK Telecom to build multiple 5G clusters – equipped with premium network quality and innovative services – in main areas across the nation to shift the competition paradigm of the telecommunications industry centered around 5G services. It expects the number of its 5G subscribers to surpass 2 million this year.