Press Releases 2026

SoftBank Corp. Develops "Autonomous Thinking
Distributed Core Routing," AI-driven Technology for
Autonomously Optimizing Network Routes

New technology achieves both efficiency and low latency
through collaboration between SRv6 MUP and AI Agents

March 11, 2026
SoftBank Corp.

SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank") announced it developed "Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing," a technology that uses AI to analyze communication conditions (traffic characteristics) in real time and autonomously selects optimal network routes depending on the situation.

Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing dynamically switches between a conventional centrally managed core network (UPF: User Plane Function*1) and SRv6 MUP (Segment Routing v6 Mobile User Plane*2) through AI agents that utilize the industry-standard QoD API (Quality on Demand Application Programming Interface) defined by the CAMARA Project*3.

This technology allows for the use of a conventional centralized mobile core for communications where efficiency is important, and for applications requiring low latency. By automatically switching to the shortest network route, optimal communication quality is achieved according to the application.

[Notes]
  1. *1
    A mobile-only switching device that processes user data.
  2. *2
    For details on SRv6 MUP, see the press release dated February 28, 2022, SoftBank Corp. Succeeds in Developing SRv6 MUP Technology to Implement MEC and Network Slicing Affordably at Scale.
  3. *3
    CAMARA is an open source project promoted by the Linux Foundation and the GSMA (GSM Association) to standardize network functions for telecommunications carriers.

1. Development Background

In next-generation communication environments, it is anticipated that applications such as AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and autonomous driving will require ultra-low latency communications, while also demanding efficient transmission of large volumes of data. Within a single application, these differing requirements are expected to switch dynamically and in a complex manner.

However, in conventional mobile networks, when different latency requirements (SLA: Service Level Agreements) exist within a single application, it has been difficult to flexibly accommodate each requirement, making uniform communication control challenging.

To address this issue, SoftBank has newly developed Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing, a technology in which AI agents autonomously determine the required latency conditions and control communications by switching to the optimal core network route in real time.

2. Features of Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing

  1. (1)
    Definition of latency requirements and pre-measurement
    Latency requirements for applications are defined as tiered classes ranging from several tens of milliseconds (1 ms = 1/1,000 of a second) down to 10 milliseconds or less.
    When launching an application such as cloud gaming that requires a specific latency threshold (e.g., 40 ms or less), the AI observes network latency via measurement servers in real time whether the current network latency satisfies the required condition.
  2. (2)
    Autonomous optimization based on pre-measurement
    Based on the results of the pre-measurement, the AI determines whether SRv6 MUP should be applied. If it determines that applying SRv6 MUP can satisfy the application's latency requirement, it autonomously switches the network route.
  3. (3)
    Verification (measurement during service use)
    While the application is used in a communication environment optimized by SRv6 MUP, the measurement server continuously measures latency.
  4. (4)
    Proof (visualization of results)
    After the session ends, the achievement status of the latency requirement is determined. If necessary, a certificate of results is returned via API.
  5. (5)
    Real-time switching within the mobile network
    The mobile network switches in real time between two routes with different characteristics: a centrally managed core network (UPF) that provides reliable and efficient communication; and SRv6 MUP-PE (Provider Edge), which provides a shortest-path communication route that suppresses latency.
    This enables the optimal use of each route according to communication requirements.

3. Field Trial Results

At "JANOG57," an event for network operators held in February 2026, SoftBank conducted a field trial using cloud gaming.

Verification was conducted within SoftBank's commercial 4G mobile network environment. The results showed that while the average latency via the conventional mobile core was 41.9 milliseconds, the average latency when applying the Technology was reduced to 27.4 milliseconds.

These results confirmed that Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing can stably meet the latency requirement (40 milliseconds or less) required for cloud gaming.

In addition, the traffic control accuracy of the AI agent reached 99.7%, confirming the effectiveness of highly precise and stable autonomous control.

4. Future Developments

SoftBank will further enhance Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing by enabling AI agents to learn from a variety of application traffic patterns, advancing toward more generalized control capabilities.

In the future, SoftBank aims to realize a mechanism in which application providers can simply deploy low-latency applications on SoftBank's MEC servers, and optimal network control will be applied autonomously.

SoftBank will promote the commercial deployment and further advancement of Autonomous Thinking Distributed Core Routing as it works toward realizing an autonomous society in which AI and networks are highly integrated.

  • SoftBank, the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
  • Other company, product and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.
About SoftBank Corp.'s Network Initiatives

To realize a society where everyone can live with peace of mind, SoftBank Corp. ("SoftBank") is enhancing and improving the reliability of its communications network. To provide a reliable communications environment for both ordinary times and during disasters, SoftBank is enhancing its terrestrial network across Japan, increasing its resilience in preparation for disasters and integrating it with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN). SoftBank's three key areas of focus for its communications network are as follows.

  • To enhance network quality for ordinary times, SoftBank is leveraging AI and big data to manage its entire communications network while strengthening its 5G and 4G base station network in urban areas and other locations. These initiatives are continually improving the customer quality of experience.
  • When demand for communications surges in extraordinary times, during large-scale events and natural disasters, for example, SoftBank works to secure a stable communications environment by deploying additional measures, such as mobile base station vehicles, portable communication equipment, drone-based base stations and free-of-charge Wi-Fi.
  • Under its vision for Ubiquitous Transformation (UTX), SoftBank is advancing the development of communications infrastructure that can be used in all environments, whether on land, sea or in the air. By integrating its terrestrial mobile network with NTN, including satellite communications and stratospheric communication platforms (HAPS), SoftBank will enable the rapid restoration of communications services during disasters and expand service coverage to mountainous regions and remote islands.