Key Points:
- Samsung Electronics forms AI-RAN alliance with global Big Tech firms to advance 6G technology.
- The alliance aims to research AI integration with wireless communication technologies for optimization and innovation.
- The members are Samsung, Nvidia, Arm, SoftBank, Ericsson, Nokia, Microsoft, AWS, T-Mobile USA, DeepSig, and Boston’s Northeastern University.
- Research outcomes are expected to contribute to 6G standardization and commercialization.
Samsung Electronics has announced the formation of the AI-RAN alliance, a collaboration with global Big Tech firms aimed at researching sixth-generation (6G) technology and fostering an ecosystem through the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and wireless communication technologies.
The AI-RAN alliance was officially launched at the Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, Spain, with ten telecommunications and software companies and one university as its founding members. The members are Samsung, Nvidia, Arm, SoftBank, Ericsson, Nokia, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, T-Mobile USA, DeepSig, and Boston’s Northeastern University.
The alliance is structured into three working groups: AI for radio access networks, AI and RAN, and AI on RAN. These groups will conduct specialized research on various aspects of AI integration with wireless communication technologies, covering optimization, resource management, infrastructure utilization, and discovering new AI applications and services in wireless networks.
As a member firm, Samsung aims to lead 6G research and expand the ecosystem by applying AI to wireless communication technology. The company plans to drive service innovation and enhance communication network efficiency through its involvement in all three working groups.
The alliance’s research activities are expected to significantly contribute to 6G standardization and commercialization, including developing new services, technical requirements, and specifications for future wireless communication networks.
Charlie Zhang, senior vice president at Samsung Research America, expressed optimism about the alliance’s potential to drive innovation and transformation in the AI and 6G networks. He said, “The AI-RAN alliance will foster collaboration, drive innovation and usher in a new era of transformation around AI and 6G networks. We believe this coalition will create new value for end users and operators through AI-based use cases and innovations.”
Samsung’s commitment to advancing next-generation communication technology dates back to the establishment of the Advanced Communications Research Center in May 2019. The center has published white papers on 6G technology and spectrum, demonstrating Samsung’s leadership in research and development for the next-generation communication market.
In addition to participating in the AI-RAN alliance, Samsung has organized the Samsung 6G Forum and continues to play a leading role in revitalizing the ecosystem and strengthening competitiveness in the evolving communication market.
