LG Uplus
LG Uplus (KRX: 032640) is a South Korean LG Group telecom carrier offering mobile, internet, and IPTV services to consumers and is repositioning as an AI-driven software and hyperscale AI data center operator, with ixi-O voice AI, Sovereign AI, and 200MW Paju AIDC buildout.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersYongsan, South Korea
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What LG Uplus does
LG Uplus Corp. (KRX: 032640) is the smallest of South Korea's three mobile carriers and a core subsidiary of LG Group (LG Corporation), headquartered in Seoul at the LG Twin Towers in Yongsan. The company provides subscription-based mobile (including 5G), internet, IPTV (U+tv), and bundled consumer connectivity services to millions of Korean households, and ranked first in both mobile telephone service and IPTV in the 2026 National Customer Satisfaction Index. Beyond connectivity, LG Uplus is repositioning itself as an AI-driven software and infrastructure company: it offers the ixi-O and ixi-O Pro AI call assistants, the ixi-Guardian 2.0 vishing/anti-deepvoice security solution, the AION autonomous network platform, and the Agentic AICC customer-service solution; it also develops the on-premises Sovereign AI Appliance with LG AI Research (EXAONE 4.0) and FuriosaAI (RNGD NPU).
The company generates the bulk of its revenue from monthly subscriptions on mobile, fixed internet, and IPTV plans, with multi-year bundled contracts that combine device subsidies, voice/text, and content aggregators such as U+tv Broadcast Pass (which consolidates KBS, MBC, SBS, and JTBC VOD into a single subscription at 19,800-22,000 won/month). Enterprise and adjacent revenue lines are emerging through four vectors: (1) AI Data Center (AIDC) infrastructure, anchored by a 200MW hyperscale facility under construction in Paju designed for up to 70,000 GPUs and a 5 trillion won cumulative-order target by 2030; (2) connected-vehicle infotainment (U+Drive) embedded via Toyota Connect; (3) AI Contact Centre software for SMEs via the Blumn AI partnership; and (4) overseas ixi-O SaaS exports, led by a 2026 agreement with Maxis in Malaysia and active commercialization talks with operators in 13 countries.
LG Uplus's go-to-market blends direct consumer retail (nationwide U+ stores and online storefront), OEM-embedded distribution (Toyota), and enterprise field sales for AIDC, security, and contact-centre solutions. Strategic execution is anchored by the 'One LG' alliance with LG Electronics, LG Energy Solution, LG CNS, LG AI Research, and LS Electric, complemented by partnerships with NVIDIA, Samsung (ISAC for 6G), OpenAI, Google Cloud, AWS, Fortinet, MongoDB, CryptoLab, and CIQ. Leadership transitioned in November 2024 when CEO Hong Bum-shik succeeded the prior CEO, and in March 2026 independent director Nam Hyung-doo became board chair — the first outside director to hold the role. The company is operating amid regulatory pressure (government-mandated ~20,000 won 5G pricing, three probes related to a 3TB dark-web data exposure and an IMSI vulnerability, and a free SIM replacement program for up to 17 million lines), which it has countered with a high-velocity AI software, AI factory, and international expansion agenda.
LG Uplus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LG Uplus
- Legal name
- 주식회사 엘지유플러스 (LG Uplus Corp.)
- Website
- https://uplus.co.kr
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- LG Uplus (KRX: 032640) is a South Korean LG Group telecom carrier offering mobile, internet, and IPTV services to consumers and is repositioning as an AI-driven software and hyperscale AI data center operator, with ixi-O voice AI, Sovereign AI, and 200MW Paju AIDC buildout.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LG Uplus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)
- SIC
- Communications Services, Nec (4899), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Power Distribution & Switchgear (UPS, PDUs, Busway) (HDABAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UPS Systems & Backup Power (Online/line-interactive UPS, industrial backup) (IMAGADAD), IT Service Desk & End-User Support (L1/L2) (BPAAACAA)
Keywords
Where LG Uplus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Yongsan
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
LG Uplus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Mobile Services: Recurring subscription revenue from mobile telephone services including 5G plans. LG Uplus ranked first in 2026 National Customer Satisfaction Index for mobile telephone service.
- IPTV and Entertainment Services: IPTV subscription services including U+tv platform, bundled content packages. Ranked first in IPTV for fifth consecutive year in National Customer Satisfaction Index. Launched U+tv Broadcast Pass bundling content from four major broadcasters.
- Internet/IPTV Subscription: Combined internet and IPTV services offered at discounted rates when bundled with mobile subscriptions.
- Connected Vehicle Services: U+Drive infotainment system deployed in Toyota vehicles through Toyota Connect platform, providing navigation, music streaming, TV content, and voice recognition.
- AI Contact Centre Solutions: AI-powered contact centre services targeting SME market segment through partnership with Blumn AI.
- AI Data Center Infrastructure: AI Factory Operator business model targeting 5 trillion won in cumulative orders by 2030 through 200MW hyperscale AIDC facility in Paju. First building scheduled for June 2027 completion and already sold out.
- Enterprise Linux Support: Rocky Linux from CIQ with long-term support to address enterprise Linux licensing costs.
- AI Software Export: ixi-O AI call assistant exported to Malaysia via Maxis as first overseas deal, delivered via SaaS model with multilingual processing capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Galaxy Buddy5 budget 5G smartphone priced at 528,000 won ($352) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | U+tv Broadcast Pass Basic at 19,800 won/month bundled with 3-year internet contract |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | U+tv Broadcast Pass Premium at 22,000 won/month bundled with 3-year internet contract |
| Subscription | Monthly | YouTube Premium and Google AI Pro bundle at 25,000 won/month promotional price |
| Subscription | Monthly | AI subscription services (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok) with up to 45% billing discount via mobile payment |
| Subscription | Monthly | Entry-level 5G plans priced at approximately 20,000 won ($13.51) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels10 records
LG Uplus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LG Uplus is a major South Korean telecommunications operator offering mobile, fixed-line broadband, and IPTV services to consumers. The company is transitioning into an AI-driven business, developing voice AI assistants (ixi-O), AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure, connected vehicle platforms, and enterprise AI contact center solutions. It serves both individual subscribers and enterprise/government clients with AI-cloud and telecom infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- U+tv: IPTV and mobile television platform offering live channels and video-on-demand content.
- ixi-O
- U+tv Free
- U+tv Broadcast Pass
- U+Drive
- Galaxy Buddy Series
- 너겟 (Neogeot)
- 유독 (Yudok)
- Simple. Lab
- AION
- AI Contact Centre
- Sovereign AI Full-Stack Solution
Products and services
- ixi-O AI Call Assistant AI-powered voice assistant that places and receives phone calls on the user's behalf, blocks spam calls, and provides conversational AI services for individual consumers.
- ixi-O Pro Enterprise-grade version of the ixi-O voice AI for business communication automation and contact center use cases.
- ixi-Guardian 2.0 AI-based fraud and scam detection and protection service for telecom subscribers, designed to prevent voice phishing and fraudulent calls.
- Sovereign AI Appliance Private, on-premises AI appliance delivering sovereign AI capabilities for government, public sector, and regulated enterprise customers requiring data sovereignty.
- Agentic AICC (AI Contact Center) AI-driven agentic contact center solution that automates customer service interactions for enterprises and small/medium businesses.
- U+tv (IPTV Service) Subscription-based IPTV service providing live TV channels, video-on-demand, and OTT content to residential subscribers in South Korea.
- U+Drive (Connected Vehicle Infotainment) Connected vehicle infotainment and telematics platform built on Android Automotive OS, deployed in OEM vehicles including Toyota models, providing in-car navigation, media, and connected services.
- AION Platform (Autonomous Network) AI-enabled autonomous network management platform for operating and optimizing telecom network infrastructure using AI-driven automation.
- Mobile Service (5G / LTE) Mobile telecommunications service offering 5G and LTE voice, data, and messaging plans to individual and enterprise subscribers in South Korea.
- Internet / Broadband Service Fixed-line broadband internet service for residential and small business subscribers, often bundled with mobile and IPTV offerings.
- AI Data Center (AIDC) Services AI-optimized data center services providing colocation, GPU infrastructure, and managed AI compute capacity for AI and cloud service providers, including hyperscalers.
- Galaxy Buddy5 Smartphone Entry-level 5G smartphone sold through LG Uplus's online and offline retail channels, targeted at budget-conscious subscribers on 5G plans.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% reduction in mobile customer quality complaints
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use LG Uplus
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
LG Uplus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability16 records
Feature10 records
LG Uplus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting, flagship and minor.
- GNC EnergycoreMOU for emergency generator supply and core equipment procurement capabilities to address supply instability in AI data center power infrastructure. Partnership begins with LG Uplus Paju AIDC under construction in Gyeonggi Province, expanding to standardization for future expansion.
- Blumn AIcoreStrategic partnership to support SME adoption of AI-powered contact centre services. LG Uplus combines telecommunications infrastructure and AI Contact Centre technologies with Blumn AI's customer service and customer management platforms.
- Toyota Motor KoreacoreExpanded Toyota Connect connected vehicle platform deployed in new Toyota RAV4 model. Platform provides navigation, music streaming, television content, and voice recognition services built on LG Uplus's U+Drive infotainment system.
- SK Telecom, KT, HFR, Ucast, CleverlogicsupportingAI-RAN Global Leading Project bringing together Korea's three major mobile carriers and telecom equipment/software companies under ETRI's 47 billion won R&D budget through 2030 for 6G AI-RAN technology development.
- NVIDIAflagshipAI factory partnership for 200MW hyperscale AIDC using NVIDIA GPUs. LG Uplus and LG CNS plan to build AI data centers on NVIDIA's DSX reference design. Partnership enables transition from data center builder to AI factory operator managing GPUs, power, and cooling systems integrally.
- LS ElectricsupportingCo-developing DC 800V power distribution system for 200MW hyperscale AIDC facility in Paju as part of 'One LG' alliance.
- Samsung ElectronicscoreMOU for joint research on Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology for 6G networks. Samsung Research leads development of core ISAC and AI-driven 6G technologies; LG Uplus handles validation, data provision, and field-testing infrastructure.
- Maxis (Malaysia)coreFirst overseas deal to commercially launch ixi-O AI call assistant in Malaysia later this year. Service delivered via SaaS model with multilingual processing tailored to Malaysia's local communication environment. Both exploring broader cooperation in AI-powered smart home services and enterprise solutions.
- MongoDBsupportingPartnership to enhance AI-driven customer service capabilities through MongoDB's database technology integration.
- NTT Docomo, KDDI, Rakuten Mobile, SoftBanksupportingTokyo Accord signed at GSMA APAC CEO and 6G Alliance Summit to expand cooperation in 6G and AI technology. Focuses on building interoperable platforms on top of 6G network infrastructure for wider AI use and new business models.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)supportingPresented case study on AI model operations platform at AWS Modern Agentic Applications Day. Transitioned from on-premises AI development to hybrid cloud infrastructure using Amazon EKS with hybrid GPU resources to improve AI service quality and operational stability.
- CryptoLabsupportingPilot work to integrate homomorphic encryption into AI call agent ixi-O for enhanced security. CryptoLab holds foundational patents in homomorphic encryption enabling data analysis while maintaining encryption and protection against quantum computing threats.
- Roca101minorMOU to digitally transform Roca101's Pixel House co-living brand with 72 locations and 1,251 units. LG Uplus provides preferential communication fees, AI Biz Call automation, and message hub integration.
- LG Electronics, LG CNS, LG Energy Solutionflagship'One LG' alliance integrating affiliate capabilities for AI data centers and energy storage systems (ESS). LG Electronics provides thermal cooling technology; LG Energy Solution supplies UPS batteries; LG CNS handles data center construction. Projects span Korea, Indonesia, US, and Saudi Arabia.
- FortinetsupportingPartnership to deploy Korea-specific SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and AI SecOps solutions. Aims to enhance security services, cloud security compliance, and data protection through technology integration and joint marketing.
- FuriosaAIcoreMOU at MWC 2026 to jointly develop Sovereign AI Appliance - an on-premises AI system processing data entirely within corporate networks without external cloud access. Integrates LG AI Research's EXAONE 4.0 with FuriosaAI's RNGD neural processing unit for defense, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and research sectors.
- Qualcomm TechnologiessupportingCoalition with leading industry partners including LG Uplus to accelerate 6G development and global deployment targeting commercial rollout from 2029.
- LG AI ResearchcoreCollaboration for ixi-O Pro development combining with LG AI Research's capabilities. Also partnered for Sovereign AI Full-Stack Solution using EXAONE 4.0 language model.
- OpenAIcoreStrategic MOU from July 2025 under which OpenAI engineers supported optimization of large language model response speeds and consultation accuracy for Agentic AICC customer service solution unveiled at MWC26.
- AI Startups (Aim Intelligence, Enhance, Opt AI)minorThree startups selected as finalists for 4YFN Awards Top 20 at MWC 2026 through LG Uplus's Shift AI open innovation program. LG Uplus covering airfare, accommodation, and booth rental fees.
- ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)supportingCollaboration on AI-RAN (AI-based Radio Access Network) technology development for 6G, achieving approximately 18% improvement in data recovery accuracy and 30% reduction in data loss rate in millimeter-wave environments.
- LG ElectronicsflagshipBusiness agreement for R&D of AI-based communications technology for 6G era, focusing on semantic communication and post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Partnership combines LG Uplus's network operations experience with LG Electronics's device and platform technology capabilities.
- Google CloudcorePowered ixi-O AI call assistant with Google Cloud's Gemini 2.5 large language model for real-time understanding and responses during calls with privacy safeguards.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LG Uplus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SoftBank Corp: Japanese telco with expanded mobile, AI, and overseas infrastructure investments (including SoftBank Group's chip and AI data center ventures). Tokyo Accord peer and broader AI infrastructure competitor.
- Deutsche Telekom: European telco incumbent and fellow GSMA Open Telco AI Initiative signatory. Operates fixed/mobile across multiple geographies and is investing in sovereign AI and cloud infrastructure similar to LG Uplus's strategy.
- Verizon Communications: Major US telecom carrier offering fixed/mobile/IPTV services overlapping with LG Uplus's core offerings. Also investing in AI network operations and edge compute for enterprise customers.
- AT&T: US telecom incumbent and fellow GSMA Open Telco AI Initiative signatory alongside LG Uplus. Comparable in mobile/fixed/IPTV offerings and pushing AI-driven network and contact center transformation.
Direct peers
- KT Corporation: One of South Korea's three dominant telecom operators competing head-to-head with LG Uplus in mobile, broadband, IPTV, and enterprise services. Operates KT Cloud as direct competitor to LG Uplus's AIDC business.
- NTT Docomo: Japan's largest mobile carrier and Tokyo Accord partner with LG Uplus. Operates comparable mobile/fixed/IPTV services and is investing heavily in 6G, AI, and O-RAN, mirroring LG Uplus's roadmap.
- SK Telecom: South Korea's largest mobile carrier and LG Uplus's primary domestic rival. Both compete in 5G mobile, IPTV, and AI services in the same Korean market and have similar nationwide carrier footprints.
- KDDI: Japanese telecom carrier and Tokyo Accord signatory alongside LG Uplus for 6G and AI cooperation. Provides mobile, fixed broadband, and is increasingly moving into AI/data center services.
Emerging players
- Rakuten Mobile: Japanese greenfield carrier partnering with LG Uplus in the Tokyo Accord. Pursuing highly AI-native, software-defined network architecture - emerging competitive threat in voice AI and telco orchestration.
Regional players
- e& (Etisalat): UAE-based MENA telecom group and fellow GSMA Open Telco AI Initiative signatory. Active in AI voice agents and data center infrastructure outside Korea/Malaysia, providing a potential regional alternative for ixi-O.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LG Uplus social profiles
Digital presenceLG Uplus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LG Uplus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
LG Uplus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LG Uplus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments39 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LG Uplus
What does LG Uplus do?
LG Uplus is a major South Korean telecommunications operator offering mobile, fixed-line broadband, and IPTV services to consumers. The company is transitioning into an AI-driven business, developing voice AI assistants (ixi-O), AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure, connected vehicle platforms, and enterprise AI contact center solutions. It serves both individual subscribers and enterprise/government clients with AI-cloud and telecom infrastructure.
Is LG Uplus a public or private company?
LG Uplus is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was LG Uplus founded?
LG Uplus was founded in 1997. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is LG Uplus based?
LG Uplus is headquartered in Yongsan, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does LG Uplus make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Mobile Services are the primary driver. The others are IPTV and Entertainment Services, internet/IPTV Subscription, connected Vehicle Services, AI Contact Centre Solutions, AI Data Center Infrastructure, enterprise Linux Support and AI Software Export.
Who are LG Uplus's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SoftBank Corp, Deutsche Telekom, Verizon Communications and AT&T. Direct peers are KT Corporation, NTT Docomo, SK Telecom and KDDI. Rakuten Mobile is listed as an emerging player. e& (Etisalat) is listed as a regional player.
Does LG Uplus have an API?
No public API is recorded for LG Uplus.
What industry is LG Uplus in?
LG Uplus's product category is Telecommunications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAKAA, Power Distribution & Switchgear (UPS, PDUs, Busway), with a secondary code of IMAGADAD, UPS Systems & Backup Power (Online/line-interactive UPS, industrial backup). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 4899.