Ericsson and SoftBank Partner to Drive AI Integration in RAN for Next-Gen Network Efficiency

Ericsson and SoftBank Partner to Drive AI Integration in RAN for Next-Gen Network Efficiency

(IN BRIEF) Ericsson and SoftBank Corp. have partnered to explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure, aiming to enhance network efficiency and unlock new use cases for communication service providers. The collaboration will focus on optimizing AI and RAN convergence, sharing infrastructure, and conducting lab demonstrations to test AI and RAN applications on the same hardware. Both companies are key members of the AI-RAN Alliance, which aims to advance AI-driven RAN technology and mobile networks.

(PRESS RELEASE) STOCKHOLM, 7-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Ericsson and SoftBank Corp. have announced a new partnership to further explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructures, aiming to boost network efficiency and performance. This collaboration seeks to develop AI-integrated RAN solutions by combining the strengths of both companies. By leveraging AI within the RAN infrastructure, the companies hope to unlock new use cases for communication service providers and enhance the overall capabilities of networks.

The joint initiative will focus on developing converged architectures where AI and RAN can operate seamlessly on shared network infrastructure. Key areas of exploration include optimizing architectures for AI and RAN convergence, managing hardware and workload distribution, and conducting engineering demonstrations to assess the potential of running AI and RAN applications on the same infrastructure.

The collaboration between Ericsson and SoftBank will involve techno-economic analyses, prototype development, and lab demonstrations, with a focus on Centralized RAN (C-RAN) and the benefits of integrating AI with RAN processing.

Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks at Ericsson, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that it reaffirms Ericsson’s commitment to innovation and will empower communication service providers to create more efficient and flexible networks. Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO at SoftBank Corp., emphasized how the partnership aligns with SoftBank’s strategy to invest in AI infrastructure, opening doors to future collaborations with other industry players.

Both companies are also part of the AI-RAN Alliance, formed at the Mobile World Congress 2024, which aims to drive the integration of AI into cellular technology and advance mobile network technology.

ABOUT ERICSSON:
Ericsson’s high-performing networks provide connectivity for billions of people every day. For nearly 150 years, we’ve been pioneers in creating technology for communication. We offer mobile communication and connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises. Together with our customers and partners, we make the digital world of tomorrow a reality. www.ericsson.com

ABOUT SOFTBANK CORP.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. SoftBank Corp. has 40 million mobile subscribers in Japan, and through its group companies, 63 million smartphone payment (PayPay) users, 85 million online media (Yahoo! JAPAN) users and 97 million communication app (LINE) users (as of May 9, 2024). Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language with 1 trillion parameters, SoftBank is applying AI to enhance radio access network performance (AI-RAN) with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure. To learn more, please visit https://www.softbank.jp/en/

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SOURCE: ERICSSON