Part three of the interview series covers Samsung’s progress in AI-RAN network efficiency, sustainability and the user experience

Samsung Newsroom interviews Charlie Zhang, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ 6G Research Team

With global competition intensifying along with 5G evolution and 6G preparations, AI is emerging as a defining force in next-generation communications. Especially AI-based radio access network (AI-RAN) technology that brings AI to base stations, a key element of the network, stands out as a breakthrough to drive new levels of efficiency and intelligence in network architecture.

At the forefront of research into next-generation network architectures, Samsung Electronics embeds AI throughout communications systems while leading technology development and standardization efforts in AI-RAN.

In part three of the series, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Charlie Zhang, Senior Vice President of 6G Research Team at Samsung Electronics, about the evolution of AI-RAN and how Samsung’s research is preparing for the 6G era. This follows parts one and two of the series exploring Samsung’s efforts in 6G standardization and global industry leadership.

Reimagining 6G for a Dynamic Environment

In today’s mobile communications landscape, sustainability and user experience innovation are more important than ever.

“End users now prioritize reliable connectivity and longer battery life over raw performance metrics such as data rates and latency,” said Zhang. “The focus has shifted beyond technical specifications to overall user experience.”

In line with this shift, Samsung has been conducting 6G research since 2020. The company published its “AI-Native & Sustainable Communication” white paper in February 2025, outlining the key challenges and technology vision for 6G commercialization. The paper highlights four directions — AI-Native, Sustainable Network, Ubiquitous Coverage and Secure and Resilient Network. This represents a comprehensive network strategy that goes beyond improving performance to encompass both sustainability and future readiness.

▲ The four key technological directions in “AI-Native & Sustainable Communication”

“AI is not only a core technology of 5G but is also expected to be the cornerstone of 6G — enhancing overall performance, boosting operational efficiency and cutting costs,” he emphasized. “Deeply embedding AI from the initial design stage to create autonomous and intelligent networks is exactly what we mean by ‘AI-Native.’”

How AI-RAN Transforms Next-Gen Network Architecture

To realize the evolution toward next generation networks and the vision for 6G, network architecture must evolve to the next level. At the center of this transformation is innovation in RAN, the core of mobile communications.

Traditional RAN has relied on dedicated hardware systems for base stations and antennas. However, as data traffic and service demands have surged, this approach has revealed limitations in transmission capacity, latency and energy efficiency — while requiring significant manpower and time for resource management. To address these challenges, virtualized RAN (vRAN) was introduced.

vRAN implements network functions in software, significantly enhancing flexibility and scalability. By leveraging cloud-native technologies, network functions can run seamlessly on general-purpose servers — enabling operators to reduce capital costs and dynamically allocate computing resources in response to traffic fluctuations. vRAN is a key platform for modernization, efficiency and the integration of future technologies without requiring a full infrastructure rebuild. Samsung has already successfully mass deployed its vRAN in the U.S. and worldwide.

▲ Network Evolution towards AI-RAN

AI-RAN ushers in a new era of network evolution, embedding AI to create an intelligent RAN that learns, predicts and optimizes on its own. Not only does AI integration advance 4G and 5G networks that are based on vRAN, but it also serves as the breakthrough and engine for 6G. Real-time optimization sets the platform apart, boosting performance while reducing energy consumption to improve efficiency and stability.

In addition, AI-RAN enables networks to autonomously assess conditions and maintain optimal connectivity. “For instance, the system can predict a user’s movement path or radio environment in advance to determine the best transmission method, while AI-driven processing manages complex signal operations to minimize latency,” Zhang explained. “By analyzing usage patterns, AI-RAN can allocate tailored network resources and deliver more personalized user experiences.”

Proven Potential Through Research

Samsung is advancing network performance and stability through research in AI-based channel estimation, signal processing and system automation. Samsung has verified the feasibility of these technologies through Proof of Concept (PoC). At MWC 2025, the company demonstrated AI-RAN’s ability to improve resource utilization even in noisy, interference-prone environments.

“With AI-based channel estimation, we can accurately predict and estimate dynamic channel characteristics that are corrupted by noise and interference. This higher accuracy leads to more efficient resource utilization and overall network performance gains,” said Zhang. “AI also enhances signal processing. AI-driven enhancements in modem capabilities enable more precise modulation and demodulation, resulting in higher data throughput and lower latency.”

System automation for RAN optimization further analyzes user-specific communication quality and real-time changes in the network environment, dynamically adjusting modulation, coding schemes and resource allocation. This allows the network to predict and mitigate potential failures in advance, easing operational burdens while improving reliability and efficiency.

“These advancements enhance network performance, stability and user satisfaction, driving innovation in next-generation communication systems,” he added.

Global Collaboration Fuels AI-RAN Progress

International collaboration in research and standardization — such as the AI-RAN Alliance — is central to advancing AI-RAN technology and expanding the global ecosystem.

“Global collaboration enables knowledge sharing and joint research, accelerating the industry’s adoption of AI-RAN,” said Zhang. “Samsung is a founding member of the AI-RAN Alliance and currently holds leadership positions as vice chair of the board and chair of the AI-on-RAN Working Group.”

▲ Organizational structure and roles of the AI-RAN Alliance

Building on its expertise in communications and AI, Samsung is advancing R&D in areas such as real-time optimization through edge computing and adaptability to dynamic environments.

“Samsung’s involvement accelerates AI‑RAN adoption by bridging technology gaps, promoting open innovation and ensuring that advances in AI‑driven networks are both commercially viable and technically sound — thereby advancing the ecosystem’s maturity and global impact,” he explained.

Through this commitment to collaboration and investment, AI-RAN technology is expected to progress rapidly worldwide and become a core competitive advantage in next-generation communications.

Leading the Way Into the 6G Era

Samsung is strengthening its edge in AI-RAN with a distinctive approach that combines innovation, collaboration and end-to-end solutions in preparation for the 6G era.

Through an integrated design that develops RAN hardware and AI-based software in parallel, the company is enabling optimization across the entire network stack. Samsung has boosted performance with its deep expertise in communications, while partnerships with global telecom operators and standardization bodies are helping accelerate industry adoption of its research.

Continued research in areas such as radio frequency (RF), antennas, ultra-massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)¹ and security is playing a critical role in transforming 6G from vision to market-ready technology. With the establishment of its AI-RAN Lab, Samsung is accelerating prototyping and testing, shortening the R&D cycle and paving the way for faster commercialization.

“Beyond ecosystem development, Samsung is positioning itself as a leader in AI-RAN through a blend of innovation, strategic collaboration and end-to-end solutions,” Zhang emphasized. “Together, these elements cement Samsung’s role at the forefront of AI-RAN.”

AI-RAN is redefining next-generation communications. By integrating AI across networks, Samsung is leading the way — and expectations are growing for the company’s role in shaping the future.

In the final part of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the latest trends in the convergence of communications and AI, along with Samsung’s future network strategies in collaboration with global partners.

¹ Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission improves communication performance by utilizing multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver.