Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom (SKT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop core 6G technologies, mainly focusing on artificial intelligence-based radio access network (AI-RAN) technology.
The two companies will develop and test key technologies for the 6G era, including AI-based channel estimation, distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission, AI-RAN-based schedulers, and core network architecture.
Samsung’s Samsung Research and SKT’s Network Technology Office will lead the collaboration.
AI-based channel estimation predicts and corrects signal transmission in real-time, enabling faster and more accurate data delivery to improve network performance, even in environments where radio waves are distorted by buildings, walls, and other obstacles.
Unlike traditional architectures where a single base station handles data processing, distributed MIMO technology allows multiple base stations or antennas to work together to send and receive data. This approach supports reliable, ultra-fast communications in both urban and rural areas.
The AI-RAN scheduler and AI-based core network decide when, where, and how to send data, ensuring efficient resource allocation even when large numbers of user devices are connected. These technologies are key to improving network quality and increasing automation in the hyper-connected society of the future.
Through this partnership, Samsung Research will develop AI-RAN technology, including AI-based channel estimation models, schedulers, and distributed MIMO. SKT will lead the data provision and test infrastructure setup based on nationwide network operations.
The two companies also cooperate as members of the AI-RAN Alliance. They jointly proposed an AI-based channel estimation technique that was formally approved as a work item. This month, the two companies continued their joint efforts by presenting their research findings at a meeting of all member states of the alliance.
“Through our field-specific collaboration with SKT, we will be able to verify the effectiveness of AI-based wireless technologies in real-world environments and secure key AI-RAN technologies at an early stage,” said Jinguk Jeong, executive vice president and director of Samsung Research and Advanced Communications Research Center (ACRC) at Samsung Electronics. “We hope that continued cooperation between our two companies will help pave the way for 6G deployment.”
“The convergence of AI and wireless communications is critical to 6G competitiveness,” said Takki Yu, vice president of SK Telecom Network Technology Office. “Through our collaboration with Samsung Electronics, we will secure world-class AI-RAN-based 6G technology and lead the global 6G ecosystem.”
Since founding ACRC in 2019, Samsung has promoted full-scale 6G research and released the 6G White Paper and 6G Spectrum White Paper, which provide the vision and direction for next-generation communications. At Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, the company presented various demonstrations in collaboration with the AI-RAN Alliance. Following last year, Samsung once again hosted the Silicon Valley Future Wireless Summit in November to advance AI-RAN research and strengthen industry collaboration.
