NTT DOCOMO and Samsung Electronics have successfully validated a new user-level AI-RAN technology designed to make mobile networks more responsive to individual users and the services they are using. The development represents an important step toward AI-driven network operations and could influence how Japan’s telecommunications industry prepares for the next generation of mobile connectivity.<\/p>\n
The companies announced on August 10 that their validation demonstrated how artificial intelligence can analyze individual user conditions, anticipate potential reductions in communication quality, and automatically adjust network configurations before service degradation occurs. The approach is expected to contribute to the development of more predictive and autonomous networks as the industry moves toward 6G.<\/p>\n
Traditional cellular systems usually use the same radio configuration for all the users who are connected to a particular cell. Although this method has been very effective, it is sometimes known to give poor results in terms of service due to varying signal strength experienced by the user or due to the requirement of the applications being used.<\/p>\n
The new AI-RAN technology developed jointly by DOCOMO and Samsung has tried to address this issue using an intelligent user-based method of radio configuration.<\/p>\n
In this new technology, information collected from the user’s devices and information about their movement and network condition is analyzed in order to identify the potential problem when the throughput is expected to fall below the required levels.<\/p>\n
This may prove vital as consumers are increasingly relying on mobile network services for bandwidth-intensive applications like streaming videos, online games, and video conferencing.<\/p>\n
The technology was validated in Japan in January 2026 using simulations based on information collected from DOCOMO’s commercial network and a local 5G trial environment.<\/p>\n
During the validation, the frequency of communication-speed degradation fell from 13.1% to 7.2%, representing an improvement of 5.9 percentage points compared with network operation without the AI-based optimization technology.<\/p>\n
The results indicate that AI could allow network operators to shift from responding to connectivity problems after they occur toward predicting and preventing service-quality issues.<\/p>\n
Rather than focusing solely on traditional measures such as radio-link failures, the companies designed the technology around the customer’s actual experience. This service-oriented approach could become an important feature of future AI-centric networks.<\/p>\n
Another important aspect of the project is the way data is collected.<\/p>\n
Traditional wireless optimization can require large amounts of network data to be collected and processed. DOCOMO and Samsung developed a more selective process that gathers only the information needed to investigate particular user-level issues.<\/p>\n
Reducing unnecessary data collection can help limit the burden placed on the network while still providing AI systems with the information required to predict throughput degradation and optimize network configurations.<\/p>\n
The companies have also contributed to discussions within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) on data collection methods, connecting the research with the broader effort to develop standards for future mobile networks.<\/p>\n
The development could have significant implications for Japan’s telecommunications and technology industries.<\/p>\n
AI-RAN requires a combination of artificial intelligence, telecommunications software, cloud infrastructure, edge computing, advanced processors, and network automation. As these technologies mature, demand could increase for Japanese companies developing AI platforms, networking equipment, semiconductor technologies, and software-defined infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The move toward autonomous networks could also create opportunities for systems integrators and enterprise technology providers. Businesses will increasingly require expertise to integrate AI-driven networking into existing infrastructure while maintaining security, reliability, and regulatory compliance.<\/p>\n
Japan’s technology sector could also benefit from the development of new 6G-related intellectual property and standards. DOCOMO’s participation in 3GPP discussions gives the company an opportunity to influence how AI-centric network technologies evolve globally.<\/p>\n
For businesses, more intelligent mobile networks could improve the reliability of applications that depend on consistent connectivity.<\/p>\n
Network optimization technology would allow organizations that employ connected devices, logistics businesses that track their assets and vehicles, retailers that use mobile technologies, and remote collaboration businesses to take advantage of more reliable network performance.<\/p>\n
The potential of the technology includes supporting applications that involve autonomous machines, industrial IoT, augmented reality, and AI edge computing technologies. Such applications are characterized by their need for fast and reliable connectivity.<\/p>\n
Consumers would enjoy the technology in avoiding disruptions during online video calls, gaming, and media streaming. Businesses, on the other hand, could gain more from network technology that is able to adapt according to business needs.<\/p>\n
Both DOCOMO and Samsung are committed to further developing the technology and investigating further possibilities for 6G usage. Moreover, both companies are set on contributing to further 3GPP discussions their technology of AI-based throughput prediction and effective data gathering.<\/p>\n
The ultimate goal would be the creation of AI-based networks that would be capable of self-learning and self-optimization.<\/p>\n
Such an approach would represent a completely new way for telecommunications networks to function. Rather than having to pre-define and manually optimize everything in such networks, they will be able to monitor situations and make changes automatically based on specific users and applications.<\/p>\n
The successful validation by DOCOMO and Samsung demonstrates how artificial intelligence could become deeply integrated into Japan’s next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.<\/p>\n
For Japan’s technology industry, the development opens opportunities across AI, networking, semiconductors, cloud computing, edge infrastructure, and cybersecurity. For businesses, it could provide the connectivity foundation needed for increasingly digital and automated operations.<\/p>\n
As the industry moves toward 6G, the competitive advantage may no longer depend solely on faster network speeds. The ability to create intelligent, predictive, and user-centric networks could become equally important\u2014and DOCOMO’s latest validation suggests Japan is already working toward that future.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NTT DOCOMO and Samsung Electronics have successfully validated a new user-level AI-RAN technology designed to make mobile networks more responsive to individual users and the services they are using. The development represents an important step toward AI-driven network operations and could influence how Japan’s telecommunications industry prepares for the next generation of mobile connectivity. The companies announced on August 10 that their validation demonstrated how artificial intelligence can analyze individual user conditions, anticipate potential reductions in communication quality, and automatically adjust network configurations before service degradation occurs. The approach is expected to contribute to the development of more predictive and autonomous networks as the industry moves toward 6G. Moving Beyond […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":37662,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[186,8098,85],"tags":[14557,110,2622,14538,5467],"ppma_author":[572],"class_list":["post-37625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ai","category-news-articles","category-tech","tag-ai-ran-technology","tag-cybersecurity","tag-ntt-docomo","tag-samsung-electronics","tag-semiconductors"],"yoast_head":"\n