Ericsson and SoftBank Corp. Step up Collaboration on AI-RAN Integration to Enhance Network Efficiency and Performance

STOCKHOLM - Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) announced a collaboration to explore converged architectures for AI-RAN. By combining their strengths, the two companies aim to explore the potential for developing new AI-integrated RAN solutions that boost network efficiency and performance, according to the official website of Ericsson.

Ericsson and SoftBank will explore common network and compute infrastructure solutions that allow both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Radio Access Network (RAN) to operate on the same network infrastructure. The goal is to unlock new use cases for communications service providers by using the power of AI to enhance network efficiency.

The two companies will jointly conduct techno-economic analyses, develop prototypes and run lab demos to optimize RAN and AI convergence at the edge. The initiative will also focus on hardware partitioning, workload distribution, and software portability across different hardware platforms.

Ericsson and SoftBank will jointly explore the following key areas:

• Optimizing AI and RAN convergence: optimizing architectures to support AI and RAN working together at the edge, with a focus on Centralized RAN (C-RAN). including assessing the pros and cons of shared hardware AI and RAN processing.
• AI and RAN co-existence: managing hardware and workload sharing between AI and RAN applications.
• Engineering demos: testing the possibility of running RAN applications and AI engines on the same hardware infrastructure to see how they can share resources.

Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Networks, Ericsson says: "We look forward to this collaboration with SoftBank in exploring the potential convergence of AI and RAN infrastructures. This reaffirms our commitment to innovation and excellence, and we believe it will lead to new solutions that empower communications service providers to build more open, efficient and versatile networks."

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President & CTO (Chief Technology Officer) at SoftBank Corp., says: "SoftBank welcomes this new collaboration with Ericsson, which aligns with our strategy to invest in AI infrastructure that enables the overlay and optimization of RAN. This partnership reflects our vision of leveraging AI to enhance communication networks and opens up opportunities for collaboration with key industry players."

Ericsson and SoftBank are among the prominent industry leaders who formed the AI-RAN Alliance, unveiled at the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024. This alliance is a new collaborative effort to integrate AI into cellular technology, with the goal of progressing RAN technology and mobile networks.