SKT Launches 'Haein' GPU Cluster Based on B200

SK Telecom announced on the 5th that it launched the latest Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) B200-based Sovereign GPUaaS (GPU-as-a-Service) on the 1st. GPUaaS refers to a service that provides GPU cloud infrastructure designed for large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) model training and inference.
The GPUaaS introduced this time is the largest and highest-performing GPUaaS in Korea, providing over 1000 of the latest NVIDIA AI chips, 'Blackwell B200', in a single cluster. It offers significantly better performance than the H100-based GPUaaS introduced in December last year.
SKT plans to address the domestic GPU shortage issue and lead the AI DC market by establishing the latest B200 GPU cluster following the H100 within the Gasan AI Data Center. This cluster construction was achieved amid SKT's AI DC competitiveness and close cooperation with global AI leaders, showcasing a representative example of the strengthening and cooperation of SKT's AI Pyramid strategy.
The cluster name is 'Haein (海印, Haein)', inspired by 'Haeinsa', where the Tripitaka Koreana is stored, and it signifies that this SKT B200 cluster will become a K-Sovereign AI infrastructure embracing the digital Tripitaka Koreana.
In particular, SKT's Haein cluster GPUaaS has been selected for the 'AI-Computing Resource Utilization Enhancement (GPU Rental Support) Project' by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and it is expected to be actively used in developing a national AI foundation model with global competitiveness. The GPU rental support project was prepared to secure the global competitiveness of the domestic AI industry and advance the national AI ecosystem, and SKT plans to develop the Gasan AI DC into a pivotal infrastructure for the development of the domestic AI industry through this project.
SKT has been pursuing strategic cooperation with Penguin Solutions, a leading US AI DC integrated solution company, for this GPUaaS launch. Penguin Solutions is one of NVIDIA's top 10 certified partners, focusing on designing, providing, and managing HPC (High-Performance Computing) solutions for over 25 years, establishing a foothold in the global market.
In July last year, SKT signed an investment plan with Penguin Solutions, the largest in its AI investment history, amounting to $200 million, and formed a synergy task force to discuss specific mutual cooperation measures, preparing differentiated GPUaaS services. Additionally, through cooperation with strategic partner and global AI server manufacturer Supermicro, they were able to quickly procure GPU servers and provide them in a timely manner.
SKT's proprietary technology is also utilized in various ways. By using its own virtualization solution, 'Petasus AI Cloud', the GPU cluster was immediately divided and reconfigured according to customer demand to maximize operational efficiency. Additionally, the 'AI Cloud Manager', an AI service development management solution (AIOps) with accumulated know-how in large-scale model development, is provided together to offer users work efficiency and development convenience.
Kim Myung-guk, Head of SKT GPUaaS Business Division, said, "The SKT Haein cluster's GPUaaS, prepared on the largest scale in Korea using the latest GPU B200, will be an opportunity to enhance the AI competitiveness of customers and the nation," adding, "As an AI infrastructure provider, we will focus on building the national AI highway."

solidkjy@fnnews.com Koo Ja-yun Reporter