Korean technology giant Samsung Electronics and Japanese telecom leader NTT Docomo have formed a project to drive AI research for next-generation mobile communication. This collaboration targets the expanding horizon of AI in various fields and the upcoming transition to 6G. Both companies intend to leverage their substantial technical and business expertise to propel AI integration in communication technologies.
Samsung emphasizes that the partnership will enhance network quality and set the stage for the industry’s move to the 6G era. The joint research is expected to improve service quality for users and network efficiency for providers. Currently, communication quality optimization occurs at the cell site level. Samsung and NTT Docomo aim to extend this to user-level optimization using AI. This advancement will allow seamless video streaming and stable communication, even in areas with weak signals.
NTT Docomo’s senior executive vice president, Takaaki Sato, believes this cooperation will accelerate AI-driven innovation within telecom. “The partnership aligns with a shared vision for future communications like 6G,” he noted. Paul Cheun of Samsung echoed this sentiment, highlighting their goal of merging the companies’ capabilities to create synergy for future communication technologies.
NTT Docomo has been focusing on testing and standardizing efforts for the evolution of 5G and the development of 6G technology. These tests aim to introduce enhancements such as ultra-high speed, large capacity, and low latency in connectivity. The company plans to explore new frequency bands, including terahertz frequencies, and expand communication coverage across various terrains like air, sea, and space.
Additionally, NTT Docomo has been enhancing the 5G network evolution with progress in 5G-Advanced. This effort focuses on improving uplink communication performance, crucial for industrial applications, which rely on high-reliability communication and guaranteed quality. 5G-Advanced improvements include uplink performance and massive MIMO technology, handling greater data volumes, and optimizing performance through AI and ML technologies.
