SK Telecom, Samsung join forces to co-develop 6G AI-RAN technology

Yu Tak-ki, left, head of SK Telecom’s Network Technology Division, and Jeong Jin-guk, head of Samsung Research’s Advanced Communication Division, pose after signing a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop 6G technology at SK Telecom’s headquarters in Seoul in this photo released Wednesday. Courtesy of SK Telecom

SK Telecom announced on Wednesday that it has signed a partnership agreement with Samsung Electronics to develop 6G wireless communication technology and conduct joint research on an artificial intelligence-based radio access network (AI-RAN).

The two companies have joined forces to strengthen their competitiveness in the race for AI-driven next-generation network technologies and to lay the groundwork for 6G rollout.

The collaboration will focus on key 6G technologies that will ensure faster, more reliable and smarter networks, including AI-based channel estimation, distributed multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) transceiver systems and AI-RAN-based scheduling and core network solutions.

“Integrating AI and wireless communication is key to gaining an edge in the 6G race,” said Yu Tak-ki, head of SK Telecom’s Network Technology Division. “Through our collaboration with Samsung Electronics, we aim to pioneer world-class AI-RAN-based 6G technology and lead in shaping the global 6G ecosystem.”

The joint research will be led by SK Telecom’s network technology division and Samsung’s R&D arm, Samsung Research.

The telecom company will leverage its nationwide network operation experience to provide data and build test infrastructure, while Samsung Research will focus on refining AI channel estimation models and distributed MIMO algorithms.

AI-based channel estimation technology helps the network keep signals clear by using AI to recognize and fix problems caused by obstacles such as buildings or walls, enabling more accurate data transmission even to difficult locations. Distributed MIMO technology allows multiple nearby cell towers and antennas to work together, ensuring stable, ultrahigh-speed communication even in densely populated areas.

The AI-RAN scheduling and core network solutions will enable the system to autonomously determine when and where to transmit data, optimizing network resource allocation for more efficiency.

“Through our hands-on collaboration with SK Telecom, we plan to validate AI-based wireless technologies in real-world environments and secure core AI-RAN capabilities early on. We look forward to jointly paving the way toward 6G commercialization,” said Jeong Jin-guk, head of advanced communication at Samsung Research.

As members of the AI-RAN Alliance — a group of global companies working on 6G network technology — SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics have been collaborating to advance the technology’s development since last year.

In June, the two companies jointly proposed an AI-based channel estimation technology that was approved at the alliance’s general meeting in Finland, and later shared their research results with the member companies in November.

SK Telecom has been a frontrunner in 6G research, publishing Korea’s first white paper on 6G in 2023 to outline its vision for AI-powered networks involving the cloud, sensors and robotics. The company also demonstrated its AI-RAN-based base station at this year’s Mobile World Congress and signed a partnership with Nvidia in October to further its development.