"Securing Core 6G Technology" KT and Samsung Electronics Successfully Validate AI-RAN on Commercial Network

KT Corporation (KT) announced on the 11th that it has successfully validated Artificial Intelligence-powered Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) technology on its commercial communications network.
Jointly developed by KT and Samsung Electronics, AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence-powered Radio Access Network) is a next-generation technology that analyzes data exchanged between base stations and devices in real time to provide each user with an optimal network environment. AI-RAN goes beyond simple network optimization and is considered the starting point for intelligent networks essential for the 6G era, enabling ultra-low latency, ultra-high speed, and massive connectivity.
This commercial network validation of AI-RAN was conducted in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. On average, about 18,000 users per day utilized the network equipped with AI-RAN technology. KT reported that the validation showed a significant reduction in issues such as dropped connections during cell-to-cell handovers, which had previously occurred repeatedly for some customers. Additionally, the quality for other users with similar movement patterns improved, resulting in enhanced overall network quality across the entire cell.
This demonstrates that AI-RAN technology operates effectively in real commercial environments. Traditionally, most domestic and international networks have been optimized on a per-cell basis. In this approach, the same network settings are applied to all users connected to a cell, making it difficult to finely reflect individual user conditions or characteristics.
To address this issue, KT and Samsung Electronics introduced a new approach focused on providing customized network quality for each user. By utilizing real-time quality data, such as signal strength and quality fluctuations, they can predict potential problems in advance and deliver optimized settings tailored to each user's situation.
This enables stable connectivity even in complex environments and improves the perceived quality for customers. It is regarded as an important milestone in securing core technologies for the 6G era.
Jeong Jin-guk, Vice President and Head of the Next-Generation Communications Research Center at Samsung Research, stated, "This is a significant achievement that clearly demonstrates how AI can enhance user experience in real-world networks. Both research institutes will continue to lead the future of AI-driven communications technology through ongoing advancement and validation."
Jongsik Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the Future Network Research Institute at KT, said, "KT will continue to advance customized optimization technologies in collaboration with Samsung Electronics to provide stable, seamless services and take the lead in securing core 6G technologies, thereby delivering greater value to customers."


kaya@fnnews.com Choi Hye-rim Reporter