SoftBank Corp. and Samsung Electronics Sign MoU
to Collaborate in the Field of AI-RAN

Overview of Research Areas

6G:
Focusing on the 7 GHz band (centimeter wave), which is being considered as one of the candidate frequencies for 6G (the sixth-generation mobile communication system), the companies will conduct field trials and explore new use cases by combining Samsung's advanced base station implementation technologies with SoftBank's expertise in network deployment.

AI for RAN:
Under the "AI for RAN" concept, which aims to enhance the Radio Access Network (RAN) through artificial intelligence, the research will particularly focus on the effectiveness of AI at the physical layer (Layer 1^*). Leveraging both companies' experience and expertise in AI and RAN, the collaboration will define use cases, implement and evaluate them in real systems, and pursue greater efficiency and optimization of the RAN.

AI and RAN:
Under the "AI and RAN" concept, which seeks to improve resource utilization efficiency by integrating AI and RAN workloads on shared infrastructure, the companies will define the architecture of an "AI-RAN Orchestrator" that enables AI and RAN to operate efficiently on the same hardware. The collaboration will conduct research and evaluation of various AI and RAN use cases on this orchestrator.

Large Telecom Model:
The companies will leverage SoftBank's Large Telecom Model, a generative AI foundation model developed specifically for the telecommunications industry, to advance joint research and development. The collaboration aims to transform conventional network optimization workflows through LLM (Large Language Model)-based AI, while ensuring secure data interoperability and improving performance, ultimately contributing to the establishment of industry standards.

Through joint research and development leveraging their respective strengths, SoftBank and Samsung aim to enhance the efficiency and performance of communication networks, create new use cases, and contribute to the evolution of global communication infrastructure by linking research outcomes to commercial deployment.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President & CTO, SoftBank Corp.
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Samsung, a global leader in communication technologies. By combining the advanced expertise of both companies, we will accelerate the realization of next-generation networks that evolve to become more efficient and highly reliable through AI-RAN. SoftBank remains committed to taking on the challenge of building the next-generation social infrastructure essential for a future society where AI and humans coexist."

JinGuk Jeong, Executive Vice President & Head of Advanced Communications Research Center, Samsung Research, Samsung Electronics
"Through this collaboration with SoftBank, we aim to define meaningful use cases for both operators and end users, while securing key technologies for future commercialization. Building on our advanced expertise in AI-RAN and 6G, Samsung will continue to lead innovation in next-generation communications."

[Notes]

1. *
   The physical layer (Layer 1) refers to the lowest layer of the OSI reference model in the vRAN software structure.

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