Ryu Tak-gi, Head of SKT Network Technology, and Jung Jin-guk, Head of Samsung Research’s Next-Generation Communications Research Center, along with other representatives from both companies, pose for a commemorative photo.

SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics Sign Strategic MOU for Joint 6G Technology Development Based on AI Capabilities.

The two companies will advance 6G communication technology development, including AI-based channel estimation and distributed multi-antenna transmission/reception technologies. They will enhance AI-based wireless communication through the construction of demonstration infrastructure and algorithm refinement.

SK Telecom (CEO Jeong Jae-heon, www.sktelecom.com) announced on the 26th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Samsung Electronics to lead the development of 6G mobile communication technology and will officially commence joint research on AI-based Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN).

The collaboration aims to strengthen the competitiveness of next-generation network technologies based on AI and lay the foundation for the commercialization of 6G.

Both companies plan to jointly research and demonstrate core 6G technologies, including:

• AI-based channel estimation technology
• Distributed multi-antenna (MIMO) transmission and reception technology
• AI-RAN-based schedulers and core network technologies

The joint research will be led by SKT’s Network Technology division and Samsung Research.

SK Telecom will provide data and establish demonstration infrastructure leveraging its nationwide network operation experience, while Samsung Research will focus on refining AI channel estimation models and distributed MIMO algorithms.

AI-based channel estimation technology enables AI to predict and correct signal transmission even in environments where radio waves are distorted by obstacles such as buildings or walls, ensuring more accurate data delivery.

Distributed MIMO transmission/reception technology allows multiple base stations and antennas to cooperate in data transmission and reception, supporting stable ultra-high-speed communication even in areas with high user density.

AI-RAN-based schedulers and core network technologies help the network autonomously determine when and where to transmit data, efficiently allocating resources.

As members of the AI-RAN Alliance, SKT and Samsung Electronics have been actively collaborating on technology since last year.

In June, they jointly proposed AI-based channel estimation technology at the General Assembly in Espoo, Finland, which was approved, and in November, they presented research outcomes at the General Assembly in Boston, USA.

SKT was the first domestic telecom company to publish a 6G white paper in 2023, outlining a future network direction that leverages AI in cloud, sensors, and robotics.

The company has also demonstrated AI-RAN-based base stations at MWC25 and signed an MOU with NVIDIA in October to develop AI-RAN technology, continuing its efforts to implement AI networks.

Ryu Tak-gi, Head of SKT Network Technology, said, “The convergence of AI and wireless communication is a key factor that will determine 6G competitiveness. Through collaboration with Samsung Electronics, we aim to secure world-class AI-RAN-based 6G technology and lead the global 6G ecosystem.”

Jung Jin-guk, Head of Samsung Research’s Next-Generation Communications Research Center, stated, “Through field-focused collaboration with SKT, we will verify the effectiveness of AI-based wireless technology in real-world environments and secure key AI-RAN technologies early. We look forward to jointly paving the way for 6G commercialization through continued cooperation between the two companies.”