Samsung and SK Telecom Jointly Develop AI-RAN for 6G, to be Verified on Real Network

Korea's Samsung Electronics and SK Telecom (SKT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 26, 2025 for joint research on AI-RAN technology. The two companies will jointly develop and demonstrate core 6G technologies such as AI-based channel estimation, distributed MIMO, and AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network architecture.

These developments are led by Samsung Research and SKT's Network Technology Office. The former is responsible for developing AI-based channel estimation models, schedulers, and distributed MIMO technology, while the latter will provide operational data and test environments on a nationwide scale for on-site verification.

In the press release, the two companies also mentioned that the AI-based channel estimation technology proposed through the AI-RAN Alliance has been approved as an international work item. This collaboration is seen as an effort to verify the performance of AI-RAN in an environment similar to that of a real network, to ensure interoperability, and to advance ecosystem formation.

JinGuku Jeong, Executive VP of Samsung Research, said, "Our field collaboration with SKT will enable us to validate the effectiveness of AI-based wireless technology in real-world environments and secure critical AI-RAN technology as soon as possible," and that "continued collaboration will help pave the way for 6G deployment in the We hope that our continued collaboration will help pave the way for 6G deployment."

Materials

• Samsung and SK Telecom Join Forces To Lead 6G Era With AI-RAN Technology
• Samsung and SK Telecom partner on AI-RAN for 6G infrastructure