Samsung Electronics and SoftBank have formed a major partnership to advance next-generation communication technologies. This collaboration focuses on 6G research and AI-based Radio Access Network (AI-RAN), aiming to accelerate telecom innovation.
Through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will work on four key areas: 6G development, AI in RAN, AI-RAN integration, and Large Telecom Models (LTM). Samsung brings strong research expertise, while SoftBank contributes extensive network deployment experience. Together, they will identify use cases and showcase real-world applications.
As 6G standardization gains momentum, the focus on new frequency bands like 7GHz highlights AI’s growing role in optimizing radio network performance. The partnership will explore how AI can automate RAN operations to boost efficiency and user experience.
They will also study AI-driven RAN orchestration, aligning AI workloads with base station operations for improved optimization and performance. Future goals include integrating generative AI into telecom networks.
Samsung’s JinGuk Jeong stated that the partnership will “define meaningful use cases and secure key technologies for future commercialization.” SoftBank’s Hideyuki Tsukuda added that it will help build “next-generation networks that are more efficient and reliable through AI-RAN.”
This collaboration follows KT’s early testing of AI-RAN in live 5G networks in South Korea. KT’s trials focus on using machine learning for channel optimization and multi-user MIMO to enhance data speed and stability.
AI-RAN is expected to play a key role in the shift to 6G by improving data flow, capacity, and latency. The Samsung-SoftBank partnership marks a major step toward more intelligent, high-performance networks of the future.
