SK Telecom announced that its proposed “Signalling requirements and architecture for AI Data Centers” has been officially approved as an international standard by Study Group 11 (SG11) under the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) earlier this month.
The approval establishes a global benchmark for system interconnection architecture in AI data centers (AI DCs), strengthening the foundation for building and operating next-generation AI infrastructure worldwide.
ITU-T, a standardization body under the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), brings together around 190 member states and more than 900 companies, academic institutions, and research organizations to develop global ICT standards.
SK Telecom first had its proposal accepted as a new standardization project in May 2024 and, after nearly two years of research and international collaboration, successfully led it to final adoption.
As AI services rapidly expand, data center architectures have become increasingly complex, driving the need for standardized frameworks governing system interconnection and signalling. Unlike traditional facilities, AI data centers operate as highly integrated infrastructures that combine large-scale computing with power, cooling, storage, security, and resource management systems.
In response, the newly approved standard defines signalling requirements and interconnection structures among internal systems, offering a unified technical framework for efficient data center operations and service delivery.
The standard categorizes AI data center functions into three layers: the service layer, management layer, and infrastructure layer. It outlines the roles and functions of each layer, as well as the signalling mechanisms required for communication between them.
This layered approach enables different systems within an AI data center to exchange operational and control information seamlessly. SK Telecom compared the concept to an airport control system, where aircraft communicate with control towers to coordinate runway and gate usage, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
The company expects the new international standard to accelerate the global adoption and deployment of AI data centers by providing a clear and interoperable framework.
SK Telecom noted that the achievement was made possible through collaboration with SK Group affiliates, as well as years of accumulated expertise in AI and ICT technologies.
Choi Dong-hee, Head of AI Strategy Planning at SK Telecom, said, “This standard approval demonstrates that SK Telecom’s AI data center technologies and operational know-how have been recognized by a globally authoritative body. We will continue to contribute to international standardization and the expansion of the global AI ecosystem.”
