Samsung Electronics and SoftBank Corp. have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the joint research and development of next-generation communication technologies. This strategic partnership is poised to accelerate innovation in the critical areas of sixth-generation mobile communication technology, commonly known as 6G, and Artificial Intelligence for Radio Access Network (AI-RAN).
The collaboration is focused on four main pillars: 6G, AI for RAN, the deeper integration of AI and RAN, and the development of a Telecom Large Language Model (LLM). This multi-pronged approach reflects the industry's consensus that AI will be foundational to future wireless infrastructure. The two companies will jointly define new use cases and conduct technical verification for these core technologies, leveraging their respective strengths: Samsung's advanced communication base station technology and SoftBank's extensive network deployment and operational expertise.
The industry is rapidly moving towards 6G standardization, with discussions actively exploring new frequency candidates such as the 7 gigahertz (GHz) band. This move highlights the urgent need for sophisticated network management solutions. AI-RAN technology, in particular, which uses artificial intelligence to optimize wireless network performance and automation, is expected to play a central role. A key aspect of this research will be AI-RAN Orchestration, a technology designed to efficiently integrate and manage the various AI application workloads and communication base station workloads. This is crucial for simultaneously boosting base station performance and enhancing the end-user experience, delivering higher throughput, more reliable connections, and faster speeds.
Furthermore, the focus on a Telecom LLM underscores a major industry trend: applying generative AI to network operations. This specialized Large Language Model, often based on a telecom operator's vast network data, is designed to transform conventional network optimization workflows. Potential applications include predicting performance trends, automating fault detection, optimizing deployment strategies, and improving customer service through sophisticated digital assistants and chatbots.
The joint research and verification efforts by Samsung and SoftBank aim to secure key technologies for future commercialization, defining meaningful use cases for both network operators and end users. By combining their advanced expertise, the two technology leaders are actively contributing to the evolution of the global communication infrastructure, ensuring that the next generation of networks is more efficient, highly reliable, and intelligent.
