Good morning and good evening. Thank you all for joining this conference call. Now we will begin the conference of the fiscal year 2022 first quarter earnings results by LG Uplus. This conference will start with a presentation followed by a divisional Q&A session. Our call is being webcasted on our homepage so that you can follow the conference simultaneously. Today's conference call will be presented for one hour and due to schedule, we would appreciate if questions are limited to two per person. Now we'll begin the conference of the fiscal year 2022 first quarter earnings results by LG Uplus.
Good afternoon. I am Seong Hyun Mo, Head of IR at LG Uplus. We would like to start the Q1 2022 earnings presentation of LG Uplus. Please refer to our Q1 earnings presentation and note that revenue breakdown of each business and details of operating expense are on the basis that excludes LG HelloVision, which we are presenting for the benefit of ease of comparison. As a disclaimer, all of the projections cited today may change subject to macroeconomic and market backdrop. We will also be providing consecutive interpretation for our overseas investors. We will first begin with Q1 performance highlights, followed by a Q&A. Without further ado, I would like to turn it over to our CFO, Lee Hyuk-ju, who will run through Q1 2022 earnings and business results.
Good afternoon. This is CFO Lee Hyuk-ju.
I would like to thank analysts and investors for joining LG Uplus' earnings release call for the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter, LG Uplus continued its quality-driven growth in terms of reduced churn rates and acquisition of high-value subscribers by offering differentiated customer experience. Driven by 5G quality improvements with a clear priority set on customer value innovation, higher penetration, stronger pricing benefits, and innovative viewing experience, consumer business continued its uptrend by growing 3.5% year-on-year as we solidified basis for qualitative growth through stronger content offerings for different customer segments. For the B2B infrastructure business, IDC business sustained solid growth and in step with the growth of enterprise messaging market, we launched a new and differentiated services receiving positive reception from our customer base.
We were also the first to launch PQC, post-quantum cryptography-based dedicated line services, and continued to place efforts behind new businesses such as corporations in autonomous driving. As a result, our B2B infrastructure business recorded 6.7% year-over-year growth. In content business, our cumulative export posted $24 million, comprising XR content and solutions. We plan to provide not only XR content across countries around the world, but also 5G immersive media content, mostly around K-pop, which has become a global cultural phenomenon. 2022 will also be a year for the company to develop and execute specific strategies for its non-telco businesses.
[Foreign Language] Digital transformation과 data, content 분야를 집중 육성하고자 외부 전문가를 영입하였고, 이를 통해서 data를 활용한 광고, content 사업들의 성장을 가속화하고 새로운 사업 기회를 지속 발굴해 나갈 것입니다.
We have recruited experts from outside in order to focus our endeavors around DX, which is digital transformation, data and content, so that we may speed up growth of ads and content business by leveraging such data, and will continue to explore new business opportunities.
[Foreign Language] 한편 LG유플러스의 ESG 경영 강화 노력도 지속되고 있습니다. 당사는 그동안 기후 변화 위기에 대응하기 위해서 에너지 절감 및 재생 에너지 사용을 꾸준히 확대하여 국제 비영리 기구 CDP가 발표한 2021년 기후 변화 대응 평가에서 최상위 등급인 A등급을 획득했습니다.
In the meantime, our ESG efforts are continuing. Thanks to energy savings and greater use of renewable energies in an effort to respond to global climate crisis. We were given the top A ratings from CDP, Carbon Disclosure Project, which is a non-profit international organization as announced in their 2021 CDP Climate Response Evaluation.
[Foreign Language] 아, 이어서 2022년 1분기 재무실적에 대해서 말씀드리겠습니다.
With that being said, let's move on to Q1 2022 financial highlights.
[Foreign Language] LG유플러스의 연결 기준 1분기 서비스 수익은 전년 동기 대비 3.1% 증가, 직전 동기 대비 1.8% 감소한 2조 7,742억 원을 기록하였고, 별도 기준 서비스 수익은 2조 5,604억 원으로 전년 동기 대비 3.6% 성장했습니다. 당사가 연초에 제시한 별도 기준 5% 성장 가이던스 대비 진척률은 24%로 지난해 1분기 진척률과 유사한 수준을 보이고 있습니다.
The company's Q1 consolidated basis service revenue was up 3.1% year-over-year and down 1.8% Q-on-Q, reporting KRW 2,774.2 billion, while separate basis service revenue came in at KRW 2,560.4 billion, up 3.6% year-on-year. Progress against the beginning of the year guidance of 5% standalone basis was 24%, on par with the progress rate of Q1 of last year.
[Foreign Language] 연결 기준 1분기 영업비용은 전년 동기 대비 0.1% 증가, 직전 분기 대비 8.8% 감소한 3조 1,487억 원으로 효율적인 비용 집행률을 지속하였습니다.
First quarter consolidated operating expense was up 0.2% year-on-year and down 8.8% Q-on-Q to report KRW 3,148.7 billion on the back of efficient spending.
[Foreign Language] 연결 기준 1분기 영업이익은 2,612억 원으로 전년 동기 대비 5.2% 감소, 직전 동기 대비로는 65.1% 증가를 기록하였으며, 이는 지난해 연간 영업이익 9,790억 원 대비 26.7% 수준입니다.
Consolidated Q1 operating profit was KRW 261.2 billion, down 5.2% on year and up 65.1% on quarter and is 26.7% of last year's full year operating profit of KRW 979 billion.
[Foreign Language] 연결 기준 1분기 EBITDA는 전년 동기 대비 0.1%, 직전 동기 대비 11.3% 성장한 8,716억 원을 기록하였고, 영업 수익 대비 EBITDA 마진도 상승해서 영업 현금 흐름은 꾸준히 개선되고 있습니다.
Consolidated basis EBITDA for Q1 was up 0.1% year-over-year, and 11.3% quarter-over-quarter to KRW 871.6 billion. EBITDA margin against the operating revenue has increased, driving sustained operating cash flow improvement.
[Foreign Language] 연결 기준 1분기 당기순이익은 전년 동기 대비 15.2% 감소, 직전 분기 대비 67.4% 성장한 1,704억 원을 기록했으며, 1분기 CapEx는 3,616억 원을 집행하였습니다.
Consolidated basis net profit for Q1 was down 15.2% on year, but up 67.4% on quarter, reporting KRW 170.4 billion. Q1 CapEx came in at KRW 361.6 billion.
[Foreign Language] 연결 기준 1분기 말 재무 상태는 자산 총계 19조 1,663억 원, 자본총계 7조 9,760억 원, 부채 총계 11조 1,903억 원을 기록했으며, 부채 감소 및 자본 증가로 부채 비율은 전년 말 143.4%에서 1분기 말 140.3%로 3.1%p 개선되었습니다.
Financial position as of end of the first quarter on a consolidated basis are total asset at KRW 19,166.3 billion. Total shareholder equity of KRW 7,976 billion. Total liability of KRW 11,190.3 billion won. Liability ratio on the back of decline in liabilities and increase in capital improved by 3.1 percentage points from 143.4% end of last year to 140.3% as of end of Q1 this year.
[Foreign Language] 이상으로 경영 성과 및 재무실적에 대한 보고를 마치고 다음은 사업 부문별 실적 및 전망에 대한 발표가 있겠습니다.
This ends the part on business and financial highlights. We now move on to individual business earnings and outlook. Consumer Business Group. Consumer
Hello, I am Park Chan Sung, SVP, Head of Consumer Business Group. I will run through our consumer business.
Q1 mobile service revenue was up 1.5% year-over-year to KRW 1,431.6 billion, and its mobile subscribers came in at 18,473,000, which is a growth of 8.8% year-over-year. 5G subscribers were up 50.9% year-over-year, reaching 5,034,000, accounting for 44% of total handset subscribers. MVNO subscribers were up 42.8% year-over-year to 3,077,000 as its contribution to mobile service revenue continues an uptrend. Marketing expense was up 7.4% year-over-year and down 2.9% quarter-over-quarter, reporting KRW 588.6 billion as we continue cost savings efforts through reductions in churn.
First quarter smart home revenue was up 9.7% year-over-year and 2.7% quarter-on-quarter to KRW 581.6 billion. On the back of rise in basic fee revenue following subscriber growth, IPTV revenue was up 10.6% year-over-year and 3.3% quarter-on-quarter, coming in at KRW 332.7 billion. Broadband internet was driven by sustained giga internet subscriber growth, posting a growth of 8.6% YOY and 1.8% QOQ, reporting KRW 248.9 billion.
IPTV and broadband internet subscribers posted a growth of 6.6% and 5% year-over-year respectively, with its cumulative subscribers at 5,410,000 and 4,822,000 as we are continuing on with a robust growth. In 2022, LG Uplus endeavored to cater to various different needs of our customers. First, in order to strengthen subscription services, we launched subscription package which provides YouTube Premium and CGV tickets. We're also offering stronger benefits for the online specific rate plan, which people can join from our official online mall, U+Shop. This direct tariff plan has offered distinct user experiences as we've reflected the feedback of customers offering stronger benefits in terms of OTT service and device. As a result, daily average subscribers have jumped by more than 10x since the promotion beginning of the year.
By strengthening such online dedicated tariff plans, we will continue to provide wide-ranging benefits to customers. Also, in line with the MVNO market expansion, LG Uplus has endeavored to acquire subscribers and prosper together with MVNO operators. We launched offline stores together with mid to small-sized MVNO operators, expanding the distribution channel. In order to expand customer touch point, we were the first to open MVNO +, which is Korea's first MVNO specialized consulting store. Together with Korea Post, we released new rate plans and smartphones that are exclusively delivered via the Korea Post in order to facilitate offline sales of mid to small operators as we broaden our business domain. LG Uplus' efforts continued in bringing innovation of IPTV experience in the living rooms of customers.
In January, we launched U+ UHD4 set-top box that supports the sound which is most optimized for the space and the type of content that is being played. Equipped with high-performance AI chip for the first time in IPTV, we can offer the most up-to-date high-quality sound even for older TV models while processing speed was also enhanced, which allow faster and more stable OTT services, including for YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ in the living rooms of our customers. We also released shopping at a glance in order to offer innovation and experience for home shopping customers. One can basically see products that are, were and will be on air at a glance without needing to pay additional costs and easily be connected to the mobile page to make the purchase, which will eliminate inconveniences experienced by customers and promote the use of home shopping services.
In Q1 2022, mobile handset subscribers turned to a positive net addition trend. Going forward, net add subscribers adding on to the base and higher mix of high value subscribers will all drive greater revenue growth as we come closer to the end of the year. With steep growth that we are seeing from MVNO subscribers, there will be greater contribution made to the overall top line. In the remaining of the year, the consumer business will continue to invest to enhance data quality, source variety of content to innovate customer experience, bringing quality driven improvement in subscribers, which will drive up growth potential of our businesses. We will also expand into non-telecom domain in order to gain future growth engines such as in subscription, content platform, digital transformation and data businesses, so that we may meet the expectation of the market. Thank you.
Next is on the B2B infrastructure, and I am Im Jae Hyuk, Head of New Enterprise Business. I will run through key highlights of our B2B infrastructure business for the first quarter. Q1 B2B infra biz was up 6.7% on year to report KRW 362.4 billion. Supported by sustained growth and underlying revenue, IDC business was up 13.7% YOY to KRW 63.8 billion. Solutions business was driven by high growth from smart factory, smart mobility and enterprise messaging, with revenue reporting KRW 111.3 billion, which is up 14.7% on year. In the first quarter of 2022, LG Uplus continued to place its efforts behind new business growth in the B2B infrastructure domain.
Quantum information communication industry as an essential industry of a state.
In April, we launched world's first PQC line, offering a secure environment where hacking is, in fact, rendered impossible. This is an achievement of three-year efforts since the commencement of development back in 2019. We expect this solution to form a critical part of security network at financial, military and public institutions, research centers, internet data center, and also create ecosystem of industries and technological environment required to nurture quantum-based telecommunications industry as an essential industry of a state. In smart mobility, in cooperation with Korea's top autonomous driving solutions company, we plan to develop next generation technology that diagnoses problems of such vehicles by using big data and AI with a view towards providing safe and differentiated unmanned driving services.
Last year, at Sejong City, we carried out autonomous driving big data center project, laying the basis for big data generation and analytics, and entered an MOU in the first quarter with Sejong Technopark and Korea Transport Institute in order to develop new services and upgrade mobility technology so that we can share such mobility data generated from people and movement of goods, and develop mobility services which are demand responsive. Also, for the upcoming five years, we will be turning four campuses of Pusan National University into 5G smart campus. Already we have completed a buildout of ICT infrastructure, including next generation fixed and wireless networks, integrated information security solutions and integrated command system, and will conduct proof of concept tests for various different education models for the future.
On top of such new business endeavors, in step with enterprise messaging market growth, we launched U+ Message Hub. We received feedback from corporate customers, who said that they found it difficult to effectively deliver information via the current text message format. By developing the Message Hub, we are now able to support a single interface for various different messages, including text, push messages from apps and SNS. As such, we at LG Uplus have been developing myriad of services to offer differentiated services under the current portfolio of businesses, while at the same time exploring new business opportunities in the non-telecom market through MOUs and technology development in order for us to be at the very forefront of the market.
In the remainder of the year, we will continue to endeavor to speed up growth from current business domain as well as new businesses under B2B infrastructure. Next, we will invite back our CFO for his closing remarks and outlook for 2022. During the first quarter 2022, we thought long and hard about what LG Uplus' strategies should look like as a telecom operator in the face of a crossroad between the contact-free environment and starting of a period whereby we would need to learn to live with the COVID pandemic. While we try to improve convenience of living indoors by leveraging telco services, we now need to start thinking about customers who are returning to outdoor activities.
[Foreign Language] LG Uplus는 고객의 일상의 즐거운 변화를 주도하는 디지털 혁신 기업의 비전 아래 고객에게 차별적인 빼어난 서비스를 제공하기 위한 노력을 지속하고 있으며, 동시에 새로운 시대의 미래 성장 동력을 찾기 위해서 노력을 하고 있습니다.
Under our vision of becoming a digital innovation company, bringing interesting changes to customers' daily lives, we continue to work on delivering unrivaled and unique services to customers while we explore new growth engines that best befits the new upcoming generation.
[Foreign Language] 22년에 남은 기간 동안 LG Uplus는 1분기부터 지속해 온 디지털 혁신을 지속하고 내재된 핵심 기술을 바탕으로 해서 비통신 사업의 성장을 가시화해서 시장과 유기적으로 소통할 수 있도록 하겠습니다.
In the remainder of the year, LG Uplus will continue on with its digital innovation endeavors and supported by our core technologies, will bring tangible growth from the non-telco business, and also will engage in active communication with the market.
[Foreign Language] 이러한 전략을 바탕으로 연초에 제시한 별도 기준 서비스의 5% 성장 가이던스를 달성하고, 시장의 눈높이에 맞는 재무 성과를 달성하기 위해서 전 사업 부문이 노력할 것입니다.
Underpinned by such strategy, we plan to outperform our guidance of 5% service revenue growth on a standalone basis and do our utmost to bring financial results that do not fail on market expectations.
[Foreign Language] 앞으로도 기업 가치와 주주 가치를 제고하고 ESG 경영을 통해서 사회적 책임 역시 다하는 LG Uplus가 될 것을 약속드립니다. 감사합니다.
We are committed to improving corporate value and shareholder interest, and we live up to our social responsibilities through the ESG management. Thank you.
[Foreign Language] 이상으로 실적 보고를 마치고 다음은 투자자 여러분의 질문을 받도록 하겠습니다.
That brings us to the end of the earnings presentation. We will now begin the Q&A.
[Foreign Language] 지금부터 질의응답을 시작하겠습니다. 질문을 하실 분은 전화기 버튼의 별표와 일 번을 눌러주시기 바랍니다. 질문을 취소하시려면 별표와 이 번을 눌러주시면 됩니다. Now, Q&A session will begin. Please press star one, that is star and one if you have any questions. Questions will be taken according to the order you have pressed the number star one. For cancellation, please press star two, that is star and two on your phone. [Foreign Language] 처음으로 질문해 주실 분은 하나금융투자의 김홍식 님입니다. The first question will be provided by Kim Hong Sik from Hana Financial Investment. Please go ahead with your question.
[Foreign Language] 예, 안녕하세요. 저 실적 관련된 두 가지 질문을 드리도록 하겠습니다. 1분기 실적이 예상은 했었지만 상당히 안 좋은데요. 일단 별도 서비스 매출액이 3% 정도 성장한 것 같고, 그다음에 영업이익은 감소를 했고, 그다음에 결정적으로 별도 순이익이 감소를 해가지고, 저희가 오늘 올해 이제 배당성향이 증가하긴 하지만 배당이 증가할지에 대한 걱정이 생길 수밖에 없는 국면인데, 가이던스는 이제 CEO님이 방금 전에도 5%를 제시를 해주셨거든요. 그래서 이게 이제 이 분기에 어떤 계기로 이제 이게 달성 가능할 수 있는지에 대해서 좀 구체적으로 말씀을 주시고, 그다음에 1분기 어쨌든 저희가 가뭄이었기 때문에 이 분기에 영업이익에 대한 증가 가능한지 여기에 대해서 같이 좀 말씀 주셨으면 좋겠고요. 그다음에 두 번째는 이동전화가 특히 성장률이 상당히 부진합니다. 상황이 좀 나아질 거라고 앞에 본부장님이 말씀이 있으시긴 했는데, 매출액 성장이 1%밖에 안 돼요.
[Foreign Language] 저희가 아무래도 이동전화 매출 비중이 크기 때문에 지금 같은 트렌드로 가게 되면 탑라인이나 그다음에 영업이익 쪽에서도 여러 가지 타격이 예상이 되는데, 올해 최근에 이동전화 매출액 부진 사유가 뭐고 앞으로 전망은 어떤지 말씀 주시면 감사하겠습니다. 이상입니다.
I would like to ask you two questions on the earnings result. Although it was expected, the performance that we are seeing for your Q1 numbers has not been all that great. Looking at the service revenue growth, it was only around 3%. There was decline in operating profit. Also on a separate basis, net profit had declined as well. Even if you increase the payout ratio for this year, we are therefore concerned that the entire payout amount in terms of dividend would inevitably have to go down. There is that concern. In the presentation, CFO, you have just mentioned that you expect to achieve that 5% service revenue growth guidance.
Would like to understand that as we enter into Q2, what are some of the drivers do you think that would allow you to achieve that 5% guidance target? Because Q1, we've seen a decline in profit. In Q2, do you really believe that your operating profit could start to rise? Second question, the mobile growth rate has been very slow. The revenue top line growth is only about 1%, and since the mobile revenue mix is quite significant out of your total top line, that of course, if the slow growth is going to have impact on both the top line and OP as well. What is the reason behind such sluggishness regarding the revenue growth, and what's your outlook going forward?
[Foreign Language] 먼저, 첫 번째 질문에 대해서 CFO가 좀 말씀드리겠습니다.
Yes, this is the CFO. I will respond to your first question.
[Foreign Language] 각 사의 매출 인식과 비용 인식 관련된 기준은 좀 다를 것 같고요. 그다음에, 각 사에 정해져 있는 여러 가지 비용 인식 기준 등을 감안하면 그거에 따라서 분기별로 약간의 차이가 있습니다. 그 캘린더의 월별 기준, 연도별 기준으로 인해서.
Each different company, they're going to have a different, criteria or different standard when they book their revenue or when they recognize the expenses. Each company has their own basis under which they will recognize the expense. There are quarterly differences which is attributable to the calendar month.
[Foreign Language]
At LG Uplus, we've been quite rigorous in reflecting the valuation losses on the handsets. So at the end of 2020, there were some valuation losses on the handsets that we had actually booked. Last year Q1, regarding the handset sales, there were reversals or write backs with respect to such valuation losses. Because of that, base effect versus the Q1 of last year, we've seen a figure dip.
[Foreign Language]
All in all, if you look at this year's revenue on a separate basis, we believe that we will be able to achieve the guidance that we have communicated. If you look at the progress rate of achieving that guidance, as of Q1, it was 24%. That is about on par with what we've seen in Q1 of last year. We will do our utmost to make sure that we live up to the guidance that we've set for ourselves. In terms of operating profit, last year on a per annum separate basis, OP was somewhere around 9%. This year, we believe we could do a double digit.
[Foreign Language]
Yes, that was OP margin, by the way. We are quite confident that we can achieve a double digit OP margin. If we are able to do that, I believe that we could, you know, remove any concerns regarding a dividend payout as you have expressed.
[Foreign Language]
Now, having said that, there may be some ups and downs, depending on the different, you know, which quarter you're looking at. However, our plan is to make sure that we manage our business so that we can be well in alignment with the targets.
[Foreign Language]
Yes, this is Park Chan Sung, I'm the SVP of Consumer Business Group. I will respond to your question about the slower growth that we've seen in mobile services revenue and the outlook going forward.
[Foreign Language]
Now if you look at Q1 mobile service revenue, it reported a growth of 1.5% year-over-year. It did slow compared to last year's year-over-year growth of around 4%. This is attributable to the fact that last year there was a net reduction in the handset market, and it's been two years since we started providing 5G services. The mix of handset upgrades within 5G subscribers has significantly gone up, and we think that was one of the key factors that had an impact. There was impact coming from increase in SIM-only subscribers as well as the growth of the MVNO market.
As we came into Q1 of this year, out of all of the three telco operators, in terms of the handset subscribers, we were the only one that reported net addition. As we enter into the second half of the year, we are expecting that there will be a recovery of revenue growth driven by the basic fees. Also, we've seen a significant increase in the high ARPU acquisition, as well as a handset ARPU is also continuing an uptrend. We are seeing a reduction in churn rates and volume growth of MVNO services. Based on the catch-up plan that we've internally developed, we will do our utmost to regain the growth rate that we've experienced last year. We will take the next question, please.
The following question will be presented by Ye Lim Im from Hankook Investment and Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Thank you. I would like to ask two questions. First is on LG Uplus media strategy. Can you provide some color as to what your media strategy, how it looks like? Second question is your strategy and plans going forward for the content business.
This is Park Chan Sung. I am the SVP of Consumer Service Group. I will respond to that question on media strategy. Through a very close cooperation with the OTT partners of both domestic and overseas, we plan to bring an innovation in the viewing experience of our customers, and we have in place variety of content and we also enjoy platform competitiveness. Underpinned by such strength, we are continuously upgrading the viewing experience of our customers, supported by customer data, and we plan to carry on with our platform business with that strong basis.
As of today, same content and same functions and features are provided to the users of IPTV and mobile TV, who are the telecom subscribers. Going forward, we will reorganize our business structure in a way that we provide the UI and UX as well as content that best fit each of the platform segments.
Yes. Hi, this is Lee Duk Jae. I'm the CCO. I will respond to your question on content. As I've mentioned in the previous call as well, the content business of LG Uplus, we are focused on further bringing upgrades to the existing content offerings as well as broaden the scalability of such content services. We have U+ Idol Live platform, which is the K-pop idol based platform.
In order for us to further enhance the immersiveness-based experience, we will be developing and planning various different genre of content, thereby expanding that not only for our domestic viewers, but also to provide the appeal to the global fan base. Our strategy for IDOL Live is that we can expand into the global market in Q2, Q3 and Q4, we will be expanding the global services on top of the domestic services. By the end of the year, we will be making preparations for a very large scale project that could be showcased in the upcoming year.
Also, in order to cater to the trend of the younger generation, we will be developing an original format entertainment content, and to be able to, you know, expand to the global users as well as the domestic users, and to really build on the strong content IP of the company. Although I won't be able to share with you all the details of the strategies, we are focused on bringing the new content that really show the strong characteristics of Korea to the global audience base. We will really focus on thinking differently and preparing differently in order to showcase something that is unique. In order to achieve our goal, we will make active investments into the relevant infrastructure and building of capabilities. Thank you.
We'll take the next question, please.
The following question will be presented by Seung Woo Lee from eBEST Investment & Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
Thank you. My question relates to shareholder return policy and your ESG endeavors. Last year, you've diversified your shareholder return approaches. You've done share buyback and paid out interim dividend as well. You've also upped your payout ratio beginning of the year. What are your plans for this year in regards to dividend? Second question is the role of your ESG committee. It seems like the ESG committee role has become more important. You've also made decision on interim dividend payout through the ESG committee. Can you provide any update on ESG committee activities?
CFO.
This is the CFO answering your question about shareholder return. Last year, yes, we had the share buyback. We paid our interim dividend, and we've increased the payout ratio. This year, rather than adding something new and additional to that dividend plan, I believe that the focus should be on growing the profit, maximizing the profit, so that we can actually pay out more in terms of shareholder return, so that, we could grow the size of the dividend. I think that's where the focal point for us lies this year. We are planning to also pay out interim dividend this year as well.
We'll make sure that it is in no way less than what we've seen in consideration of the payout ratio as well as the amount of dividend that was paid at the beginning of the year.
Yes.
[Foreign Language] 지배구조 관련된 주요 항목이기 때문에 저희들 실무진들, 경영진들의 의견과 그다음에 ESG 위원, 사외이사분들을 포함해서 그분들의 적극적인 백업으로 저희들이 그룹에서 중간배당 제도도 최초로 도입을 했던 상황입니다. 이제 ESG 위원회의 역할은 아마도 주주환원정책 이외에 글로벌 아젠다인 환경 쪽에 초점을 맞춰서 같이 논의를 해야 될 걸로 생각을 하고 있습니다.
The ESG committee has played an important role. The ESG committee, so one of the key items that it deliberates on is the shareholder return related aspect, because that forms a key part of our governance. They listen to the views of the executives, as well as the ESG committee, the outside directors. That's why we've decided for the first time to pay out an interim dividend at the group level. Going forward, ESG committee will also be playing an important role in terms of not just shareholder return, but regarding the environmental related issues, which has become a very important global issue.
[Foreign Language] 환경에 대해서 말씀드리는 건, 사회 또는 지배구조와 관련된 그 아젠다를 가볍게 본다는 것은 아니고요. 그쪽도 관심을 가지되, 아시다시피 환경 쪽에서는 에너지와 관련된, 신재생 에너지 활용과 관련된 그 막중한, 나름대로의 기업의 책임이, 지금 앞에 놓여 있기 때문입니다.
Now, that does not mean that we're going to disregard the social element or the governance element under ESG. It's just that the environmental issue, there is a significant responsibility that all of us are facing in terms of use of renewable energies and energy savings.
[Foreign Language] 아시다시피 ESG 관점에서의 환경 분야는, 특히 ESG와 관련된 선진 지역이라고 할 수 있는 유럽 같은 경우에는 신재생 에너지의 발전 비율이 우리나라에 비해서는 서너 배 높은 수준입니다. 그만큼 유럽 같은 경우에는 발전 코스트가 낮은 상태이고, 그다음에 활용할 수 있는 전원도 다양한데, 아직은 대한민국의 경우에는 발전 코스트 문제 등, 그다음에 전체적인 발전 비중 등을 고려했을 때 기업 부분이 다양한 형태의 옵션들을 선택을 하고, 그다음에 저희들이 그걸 이행을 해야 될 그런 부담이 있어서, 그런 부분들에 대해서 다양하게 ESG 위원회에서도 검토를 하고 준비 중에 있습니다.
Now, environmental element under ESG. If you look at the current situation in advanced countries like in Europe, the % of renewable energies that we see there are three to four times higher compared to Korea. In Europe, their generation cost for renewable energies is lower and they utilize various different sources, energy sources. If you look at Korea, that generation cost is higher and the mix of renewable energy sources is also low. Hence, there is more burden placed on the companies for them to actually consider many different options and to select them and implement them. Those are some of the aspects that our ESG committee is currently reviewing.
[Foreign Language] 진행자님, 현재 질문 대기 중인 분이 계신가요?
[Foreign Language] 현재 질문 요청하신 분은 한 분 계십니다.
There is one person waiting to ask question.
[Foreign Language] 시간 관계상 현재 대기 중인 한 분의 질문만 더 받도록 하겠습니다.
Yes. That would be the last question that we take today.
[Foreign Language] 마지막으로 질문해 주실 분은 KB증권의 김윤성 님입니다.
The last question will be presented by Yoon Seong Kim from KB Securities. Please go ahead with your question.
[Foreign Language] 안녕하십니까? KB증권 김준성입니다. 질문 기회 주셔서 감사합니다. 한 가지 질문만 좀 드리고자 하는데요. 기업 인프라 부문의 솔루션 사업 관련 동향 및 전망을 공유해 주시면 좋겠습니다. 스마트 팩토리, 스마트 모빌리티가 고성장을 이어가고 있다고 잠깐 언급 주시긴 하셨는데요. 관련해서 현재 어떻게 사업 진행하시는지, 향후 어떻게 이끌어 갈 수 있을지 세부 내용을 좀 공유해 주시면 이해하는 데 도움이 될 것 같습니다. 감사합니다.
[Foreign Language] 기업 신사업 그룹의 임재혁입니다. 2022년 1분기 스마트 팩토리는 현재 그 목표 대비 117%를 달성한 상태고요. 스마트 모빌리티는 목표 대비 110%를 달성해서 당사 B2B 신사업은 현재 순항 중에 있습니다.
Hello, I am Im Jae Hyuk from the B2B new business group. In Q1, if you look at our smart factory business against our target, we've achieved 117%, while for smart mobility we achieved 110% against our target, which is a testament to the fact that our B2B business is on smooth sailing.
[Foreign Language] 2022년 스마트 팩토리는 산업 성장 가속화를 위해 경쟁력 있는 솔루션을 발굴하고 성공 사례를 확보해서 일반 산업 현장으로까지 산업 영역을 확대하고 있습니다.
Now for 2022, we will be exploring very competitive solutions and also finding success cases and expand to other industry sites and in the meantime accelerate the business growth of smart factory.
Smart mobility는 2025년까지 30% 이상 고성장이라는 목표를 달성하기 위해서 수주 경쟁력을 제고하고 있습니다.
For smart mobility, we have an objective of achieving more than 30% growth by 2025. In order to do that, we are currently enhancing our competitiveness and our ability to gain and win orders.
[Foreign Language] 이것을 달성하기 위해서 현대, 기아차 등의 국내 사업자와 해외 그 자동차 OEM들의, 그까지 전 차종 대상으로 무선 통신망 제공을 지금 준비하고 있고요. 2026년도에는 MS 1위 달성을 목표로 진행하고 있습니다.
Now to that end, we are currently providing wireless telecommunication networks to domestic automakers like Hyundai and Kia Motors and global OEMs as well. Through these efforts, our plan is to become number one in terms of market share by 2026.
[Foreign Language] 이것 이외에 차량용 콘텐츠 사업에서도 그 신규 사업 모델을 지속적으로 발굴하여 국내 사업자와 해외 사업자의 지속적으로 콘텐츠 제공 사업 모델을 만들어 가겠습니다.
Also for in-vehicle content, we are continuously exploring new business models, and our plan is to provide the content to both the domestic and overseas OEMs.
[Foreign Language] 이러한 새로운 성장 기회를 마련하고 잘 진행하기 위해서 제휴나 지분 투자, 인수 등을 적극적으로 활용하여 관련 기술을 지속적으로 내재화해서 경쟁력을 제고하도록 하겠습니다.
In order to identify such new growth opportunities, we will be quite active in entering into partnerships, making equity investment and doing acquisitions, and we will continuously internalize the required technologies so that we may further enhance our competitive edge.
[Foreign Language] 이것으로 LG 유플러스의 2022년 1분기 실적 발표 컨퍼런스 콜을 마치도록 하겠습니다. 미흡했던 답변에 대해서는 추후에 IR팀에서 성실히 답변드리도록 하겠습니다. 다시 한번 금일 참석해 주신 모든 분께 감사드립니다.
That brings us to the end of the first quarter 2022 earnings conference call for LG Uplus. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at the IR team. Once again, thank you very much for joining us today.