T-Mobile is partnerin with NVIDIA, Ericsson, and Nokia to revolutionize the future of mobile networking by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced 5G technology. The collaboration will focus on the development of AI-RAN (Radio Access Network), a cutting-edge initiative set to enhance network capabilities and deliver superior customer experiences. This innovation will be spearheaded by the newly established AI-RAN Innovation Center, based in Bellevue, Washington.
As part of this partnership, T-Mobile will leverage its leadership in 5G, alongside NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform and Ericsson’s and Nokia’s expertise in telecommunications, to pioneer AI-driven advancements in RAN technology. AI-RAN is poised to unlock new opportunities by addressing the increasing demands for faster speeds, lower latency, and greater reliability, crucial for applications like gaming, augmented reality, and video streaming on mobile and fixed wireless devices.
Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Just like T-Mobile led in 5G, we intend to lead in the next wave of network technology, for the benefit of our customers. AI-RAN has tremendous potential to completely transform the future of mobile networks, and this collaboration will truly define what’s next in mobile networks in the 5G Advanced era and beyond.”
What AI-RAN Brings to Mobile Networks
AI-RAN technology will leverage billions of data points to create advanced algorithms that can optimize network performance in real-time. This will lead to improved data speeds, reduced latency, and greater reliability in network performance. Additionally, AI will power not only the RAN but will also automate network operations, optimizing infrastructure to handle third-party AI applications at the network edge.
The technology will be built in an open and containerized fashion, similar to Open RAN, with virtualized RAN and Core components managed from a central cloud. The integration of accelerated computing through GPUs will supercharge network processing workloads, making AI-RAN a powerful extension of the Open RAN architecture.
The Visionaries Behind the Partnership
In addition to T-Mobile’s role, key industry leaders are contributing their expertise to the AI-RAN initiative:
Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, highlighted the potential of AI-RAN, saying, “AI will reinvent the wireless communication network and industry — going beyond voice, data, and video to support a wide range of new applications like generative AI and robotics.”
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, emphasized the collaboration’s goal to drive standardization and industry alignment, saying, “Ericsson is excited to contribute to the AI-RAN Innovation Center, which will pave the way for potentially limitless innovations in network performance, reliability, and efficiency.”
Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, noted, “AI is a game-changer for telecoms where it will revolutionize networks. Our collaboration with T-Mobile will transform network security, performance, and efficiency, offering significant cost savings and monetization opportunities.”
A Platform for the Future
The AI-RAN network will be a cloud-based, multipurpose platform supporting both traditional telecommunications workloads and advanced AI workloads. This hybrid infrastructure will enable voice, video, data, and new AI applications to coexist on the same platform, allowing AI-powered decisions for optimal network performance. This shift will lead to more predictive, seamless customer experiences while generating significant cost savings for enterprises.
The AI-RAN Innovation Center will build on the mission of the AI-RAN Alliance, which was first introduced at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in February 2024. This alliance, led by T-Mobile, NVIDIA, Ericsson, and Nokia, aims to improve mobile network efficiency, reduce power consumption, and retrofit existing infrastructure using AI. The ultimate goal is to unlock new economic opportunities and drive global leadership toward 6G networks.
With this partnership, T-Mobile continues to push the boundaries of innovation, leading the charge in integrating AI with next-gen 5G technology, and shaping the future of mobile networks for years to come.
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