"Optimizing Network Quality with AI"... Samsung Electronics and Japan’s NTT Docomo Validate AI-RAN Technology

AI Analysis of Wireless Network Environments, Quality Optimization
Frequency of Transmission Speed Drops Cut in Half
"Realizing AI-Centric Future Communication Networks"

On August 10, Samsung Electronics announced that it has successfully validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based “personalized network quality optimization technology” co-developed with NTT Docomo, Japan’s largest mobile carrier.

This newly validated technology features AI that comprehensively analyzes each user’s service usage patterns and the real-time wireless network environment to predict potential service quality degradation. It then automatically applies the optimal network settings for each individual user. AI-RAN refers to the next-generation wireless access network that uses AI for autonomous decision-making and optimization.

Samsung Electronics expects its AI-based network quality optimization technology to contribute to realizing “AI-centric future communication networks,” where the network can autonomously recognize users’ situations and requirements and provide the optimal communication environment.

Previously, the same network settings were applied uniformly to all smartphones connected to a single base station. Because of this, users sometimes experienced degraded communication quality, such as dropped connections in areas with weak signal strength.

NTT Docomo, Samsung Electronics CI. Samsung Electronics.

The technology developed by the two companies features AI that learns each user’s movement path and service usage patterns to detect signs of quality degradation in advance and supports the selection of optimal network settings—such as frequency bands—before problems occur. For example, if the AI predicts slow data transmission speed that may cause buffering or reduced video quality while streaming, it automatically applies optimized network settings, enabling users to watch high-definition videos without interruptions.

Samsung Electronics and NTT Docomo have worked together throughout the entire process, from developing the AI wireless network technology to collecting data through drive tests on commercial networks in Japan and improving data measurement procedures. In January of this year, the companies conducted simulation tests using data obtained from NTT Docomo’s commercial network and local 5G test beds. As a result, the frequency of service transmission speed drops was reduced by half, from 13.1% to 7.2%. This demonstrated that AI can predict service quality degradation and optimize network settings for individual users, which can improve perceived quality for customers in the future.

The two companies also developed a new process for operating AI-RAN that minimizes the load on the network. Previously, large volumes of network environment information had to be collected and processed at once, causing significant network burden. The newly developed process selectively gathers and processes only the information relevant to each problem users encounter, thereby reducing network load.

The two partners have submitted this new network data processing procedure to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a global mobile communications standards body, in a joint contribution this February, continuing their collaboration for the standardization of 6G technology.

Jin Guk Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of Next-Generation Communication Research Center at Samsung Research, stated, “This validation demonstrates that AI can tangibly improve service experiences for individual users,” and added, “We will continue to advance and standardize AI-RAN technology together with NTT Docomo, leading the way in user-centric future communication technologies.”

Masafumi Masuda, Head of 6G Technology at NTT Docomo, said, “Our collaboration marks a significant step toward realizing user-centric communication experiences in future networks,” adding, “We will enhance AI-based technologies and service quality to deliver new value to our customers.”

Samsung Electronics is leading the way in AI-based next-generation communication technologies through AI-RAN research and plans to further strengthen research and collaboration with domestic and global telecommunications operators and partners in the future.

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