Lee Jae-yong and Masayoshi Son Join Forces... Samsung and SoftBank to Collaborate on '6G and AI Network' Development

Collaboration on Next-Generation Communication Technology Research
Joint Research and Verification of Core Technologies
Four Key Areas Selected, Including 6G

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Masayoshi Son, Chairman of Japan's SoftBank, have joined forces to develop next-generation communication technologies. By jointly promoting 6th generation (6G) mobile communications and artificial intelligence (AI)-based network innovation, the two leaders are opening a new chapter in the Korea-Japan technology alliance amid the global competition for telecommunications supremacy. As Chairman Lee is set to reunite with Chairman Son at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit next week, following their recent meeting in Mar-a-Lago, the United States, it is expected that they will discuss concrete plans for collaboration.

On the 24th, Samsung Electronics announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with SoftBank to jointly develop next-generation communication technologies. The two companies identified 6G mobile communications and AI-based network technology as core areas that will determine future competitiveness. Specifically, they will collaborate on four technological fields: 6G, AI for Radio Access Network (AI for RAN), the integration of AI and Radio Access Network (AI and RAN), and large language models specialized for telecommunications data (Telco LLM).

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SoftBank Chairman Masayoshi Son of Japan are moving to meet on July 4, 2019, at the Korea Furniture Museum in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

This partnership is seen as an initiative to accelerate the arrival of the next-generation network era, where AI autonomously operates communication networks and enhances efficiency, going beyond simple technology exchange. The two companies plan to apply these technologies to real communication networks, explore new use cases, and jointly verify their commercial viability.

With the standardization of 6G communications and the discussion of new frequency bands such as 7 gigahertz (GHz) gaining momentum this year, the concept of 'AI for RAN'-optimizing wireless networks using AI and managing them more efficiently-has attracted significant attention. AI-RAN (AI-based Radio Access Network) technology is expected to become a core element of future mobile communication networks.

Additionally, the concept of 'AI-RAN orchestration,' which efficiently integrates and operates the workloads of various AI applications and communication base stations, is being recognized as a promising area that can simultaneously enhance base station operations and user experience. Furthermore, research on applying generative AI in the field of communication networks is also emerging as a new area of possibility.

On January 10, 2024, Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, visited Samsung Research in Umyeon-dong, Seoul, and took a commemorative photo after holding a meeting with researchers. Samsung Electronics.

Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, has consistently emphasized the necessity of 6G research. In January last year, he visited Samsung Research to review the development status of next-generation communication technologies such as 6G and global standardization trends, stressing the importance of securing technological leadership. With the standardization of 6G accelerating this year, Samsung Electronics is also preparing the necessary systems for commercialization and is speeding up efforts to secure leadership in the next-generation communications market through the establishment of global cooperative networks.

The two companies plan to research use cases in various communication technology fields and verify the effectiveness of the technologies, leveraging their advanced technological capabilities and expertise in network construction.

Jung Jin-kook, Executive Vice President and Head of the Next-Generation Communications Research Center at Samsung Research, stated, "Through our collaboration with SoftBank, we will be able to identify meaningful use cases for both telecommunications operators and users, and secure core technologies for commercialization. Samsung Electronics will continue to lead future communication innovation based on our advanced capabilities in AI-RAN and 6G."

Tsukuda Hideyuki, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of SoftBank, said, "By combining the advanced expertise of both companies, we will accelerate the realization of a more efficient and reliable next-generation network through AI-RAN. SoftBank will take the lead in building the core infrastructure for a future society where AI and humans coexist."

The Next-Generation Communications Research Center at Samsung Research plans to host the 'Silicon Valley Future Communications Summit' next month, engaging with the telecommunications industry, academia, and government agencies on the topic of AI-RAN research.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.