Ericsson and SoftBank Partner to Promote Next-Generation Innovation from AI to 6G

Ericsson and SoftBank signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 26, 2025 to establish a strategic partnership for 2030. This initiative focuses on the evaluation, promotion, and co-creation of next-generation technologies that both companies call "NextWave Tech," including AI, Cloud RAN, XR, and 6G. The goal is to explore new use cases and innovations that will shape the future of cellular networks and their architecture.

The MOU builds on the AI-RAN-related partnership announced by the two companies in October 2024. In a press release at the time, the two companies stated that the goal was to create a common network and compute infrastructure solution that would allow AI and RAN to operate on the same network infrastructure.

Under the new partnership, the two companies will deepen and expand their cooperation in the following key areas

• Assessing the commercial readiness of an AI-integrated cloud RAN using SMO (Service Management and Orchestration)/rApps (wireless network applications)
• Establish efficient and effective network design strategies for new use cases such as XR
• Exploring new ways to utilize radio waves through the fusion of sensing and communications
• Promoting effective use of centimeter wave technology and establishing Japan as a leader in 6G

Jawad Mansour, President of Ericsson Japan, described the partnership as "a major step forward in unlocking the full potential of technology for cloud-enabled connectivity with AI," adding, "We are combining our expertise in cloud RAN and AI to drive innovation, create the future of SoftBank's mobile network, and help strengthen the company's technology leadership into 2030," he commented.

Materials

• Ericsson and SoftBank Corp. forge strategic partnership to drive innovation in AI, Cloud, XR, and 6G technologies toward 2030
• Ericsson, SoftBank team to seek out 6G, XR, AI potential
• Ericsson and SoftBank Corp. forge partnership to drive innovation in AI, Cloud, XR and 6G technologies toward 2030
• Ericsson and SoftBank begin joint study of AI-RAN to improve network efficiency and performance.