1. SoftBank's Next-Generation Social Infrastructure Vision and AI-RAN

Next-Generation Social Infrastructure Vision

Anticipating the AI-driven future, SoftBank is advancing a vision for next-generation social infrastructure that delivers computational resources throughout Japan. While traditionally, massive data centers were concentrated in major urban areas, our vision involves building "Brain DataCenters" equipped with generative AI infrastructure, quantum computers, and large-scale computational infrastructure at core domestic locations. We will also distribute "Regional Brain" computational platforms nationwide, creating a structure where processing occurs in optimal locations based on specific use cases while strengthening resilience and distributing power loads.

Edge AI Servers at Base Stations Nationwide

SoftBank will deploy AI-RAN equipment at base stations throughout Japan to create an innovative computing infrastructure. This computing infrastructure is one of the components that make up the Regional Brain in distributed AI data centers. This enables the provision of highly secure and low-latency AI services, contributing to the realization of a smart society where users can access AI services in proximity to their everyday environments.

Role Sharing with Large-scale AI Data Centers

Additionally, as part of our next-generation social infrastructure vision, SoftBank will deploy Japan's largest AI data center (Brain DataCenter). For tasks that cannot be processed by AI-RAN alone, such as training large language models with enormous parameter counts, we believe we can handle all AI tasks through collaboration with the Brain DataCenter.

To fulfill our mission of supporting Japan's IT infrastructure, we aim to realize next-generation social infrastructure by both evolving mobile networks through AI utilization and extensively building AI infrastructure throughout Japan.

Feb 26, 2024

Blogs

The mobile revolution caused by AI-RAN, the challenge of a new business platform that opens up the AI era

#AI-RAN

2. Value AI-RAN Provides to Society

As society becomes increasingly digital, the importance of "multimodal AI," which integrates various forms of information such as text, voice, images, video, and sensor data, is growing. AI-RAN is an innovative infrastructure supporting this next-generation AI society. Here are the three key features of AI-RAN: "ultra-low latency," "high network isolation," and "high capacity."

Ultra-low Latency: Enabling Real-time AI Processing

While traditional cloud processing via the internet required several hundred milliseconds round-trip, AI-RAN can reduce response times to tens of milliseconds by executing AI near base stations. For example, in autonomous driving remote support, SoftBank's "Traffic Understanding Multimodal AI" has learned Japanese traffic regulations and risk management methods, analyzing road conditions in real-time based on autonomous vehicle camera footage and making instant decisions. This technology is only possible through AI-RAN's ultra-low latency processing.

High Network Isolation: Ensuring Security through Closed Networks

AI-RAN handles data within the telecom carrier's closed network, providing benefits similar to private clouds where the storage location and processing of highly confidential data can be clearly defined. For instance, when training RAG* chatbots with corporate internal information, operations can be conducted while minimizing data leak risks.

*RAG: Retrieval Augmented Generation, a mechanism where AI reads relevant information from databases and outputs responses reflecting that content.

High Capacity: Enabling High-speed Processing of Large Data

For example, sending and processing all 8K video footage captured by cameras via the internet would generate enormous traffic. With AI-RAN, large-volume data can be processed near base stations, enabling advanced real-time processing such as 8K video and simultaneous multi-camera analysis while suppressing such loads. This is expected to advance the practical implementation of multimodal AI in various scenarios, such as urban surveillance and production line advancement. Multimodal AI is expected to support people in various aspects of life in the future, and AI-RAN's efficient processing of high-volume data will be an essential foundation for realizing this.

3. AI-RAN Use Cases

The ultra-low latency and distributed AI environment provided by AI-RAN is expected to enable services that were difficult to realize with traditional cloud-based AI environments alone. Particularly, as we look toward a future where robots can think like humans and handle various tasks through the application of LLMs (Large Language Models), SoftBank envisions utilizing AI-RAN as the foundation for realizing this world view.

Application in Industrial Robots

Beyond factory line optimization, enabling robots to perform seamless interactions requires an environment that can process enormous amounts of data with low latency while securely handling exchanged information. Since AI-RAN can operate large-scale GPUs and LLMs distributively on a secure closed network, risks can be minimized when exchanging sensitive corporate information with robots. Furthermore, real-time inference enables immediate response to natural conversations with humans and advanced task instructions, greatly contributing to productivity improvement and cost reduction.

"AI-RAN Use Case Examples"

4. Mobile Networks Evolving with AI

Of course, advancing mobile networks is also one of a telecommunications carrier's important responsibilities. SoftBank's latest research has shown that AI can improve network throughput and capacity by several tens of percent. For more information about "AI for RAN," which focuses on utilizing AI for RAN control, please refer to the video and article below.

Feb 26, 2024

Blogs

Advancements in RAN through AI - AI for RAN -

#AI-RAN

5. Formation of the AI-RAN Alliance

As industry-wide collaboration is essential for the social implementation of AI-RAN, SoftBank launched the AI-RAN Alliance in 2024. Telecommunications carriers, AI companies, industry players, and academic/research institutions will cooperate to form an ecosystem while discussing technical standardization and operational models. The launch of this alliance was a major topic at MWC (Mobile World Congress) Barcelona 2024. Currently, the AI-RAN Alliance is broadly seeking participation not only from the mobile communications industry but also from various industries and academia.

Feb 26, 2024

Blogs

AI-RAN Alliance : Leading companies and academic institutions in the AI and telecom fields unite

#AI-RAN

6. SoftBank's AI-RAN Development and Announcement of "AITRAS"

In November 2024, SoftBank announced the development of "AITRAS," an original product that realizes the AI-RAN concept. "AITRAS" is an integrated AI-RAN solution that not only provides high-capacity, high-performance, and high-quality communication networks at carrier grade but also enables the provision of AI applications. Additionally, through the Serverless API provided on "AITRAS," companies outside of SoftBank can also utilize GPU resources as a cloud service. The following pages introduce the latest press release regarding SoftBank's AI-RAN development announced in November 2024 and coverage of the explanatory meeting.

Nov 13, 2024

Press Release

Press Releases on AI-RAN Development

#AI-RAN

Dec 09, 2024

Blog

SoftBank Announces AI-RAN Integrated Solution “AITRAS” - Advancing AI-RAN from Concept to the Next Phase -

#AI-RAN, #Event

In March 2025, SoftBank released six press releases regarding significant new achievements towards the commercialization of its AI-RAN solution, "AITRAS." These announcements include substantial enhancements to AITRAS's functionality and technological developments aimed at accelerating the adoption of the AI-RAN infrastructure. This strategic initiative encompasses numerous innovative approaches, including collaborations with industry-leading companies such as Nvidia, Nokia, RedHat, Ericsson, and Fujitsu, as part of a broader strategic effort.

Mar 03, 2025

Press Release

【New Update : Mar. 3】 Press Releases on AI-RAN Development

#AI-RAN

7. Conclusion

AI-RAN is an innovative concept that SoftBank proposes as one of the elements of its next-generation social infrastructure vision. We will create new value through the fusion of communications and AI, building a foundation to support the smart society of the future. SoftBank will continue to develop AI-RAN technology in cooperation with partner companies and research institutions.

8. Related Documents

◾️ White Paper

Dec 27, 2024

Blog

【White Paper Release】AI-RAN:Telecom Infrastructure for the Age of AI

#AI-RAN

Feb 06, 2025 ET

Blog

【White Paper Release】Telco Al : Landscape, Challenges and Path Forward

#AI-RAN

Mar 03, 2025

Media News

【White Paper Release】Edge Al Workload Routing in Mobile Networks

#AI-RAN

◾️ Impress Smart Grid Newsletter

- Special Interview
Driving the 6G Revolution and Transforming　Businesses with the “AI-RAN Alliance”

- Special Interview
“AI-RAN Integrated Solution ‘AITRAS’,Development of the Technology and its Roadmap”

Reference Material