SKT has developed AI-based base station wireless transmission and reception technology through global cooperation.

SKT announced on the 22nd that it has successfully completed the verification of concept for AI-based base station wireless transceiver technology for future 6G mobile communication in cooperation with NTT Docomo, NTT, and Nokia Bell Labs.

With the convergence of telecommunications and AI expected to accelerate in the 6G era, SKT has integrated AI into base station wireless transmission and reception technology. It applied AI models commonly used in vision AI to the modulation and demodulation transmission and reception technology of base stations.

Existing systems use separate control signals to measure the wireless environment between transmitters and receivers, but frequency utilization efficiency has been improved by minimizing the control signal load through AI-based modulation and demodulation transmission and reception technology.

The four companies conducted related experiments not only in the channel emulator environment within the research institute but also in actual wireless (OTA, Over-the-Air) environments. SKT stated, “As a result of applying AI-based base station modulation and demodulation transmission and reception technology in a laboratory environment, we were able to confirm an average speed improvement of more than 10%.”

Meanwhile, SKT has been continuing 6G cooperation since signing a strategic partnership with NTT Docomo in 2022, and has achieved significant results by establishing a cooperation framework with four companies, including NTT and Nokia Bell Labs, for the development of core 6G technologies.

Based on this, SKT plans to jointly exhibit and demonstrate the development details and results of the four-company collaboration, including a 6G simulator, with NTT Docomo at MWC24, which will be held in Barcelona, Spain on the 26th.

SKT plans to continue researching suitable use cases and feasibility of AI-based wireless transmission and reception technology by utilizing wireless environment data from commercial networks for AI model training through collaboration with the four companies, and based on actual network operation experience from an operator's perspective.

NTT Docomo CTO Takaki Sato stated, “Through cooperation with SK Telecom and Nokia, we will take the lead in developing and standardizing innovative 6G technologies and focus on building a global ecosystem that encompasses future industries and technologies.”

Peter Vetter, Head of Nokia Bell Labs, stated, “It is important to gather feedback from mobile operators that will provide 6G services to build a world-class 6G system,” adding, “We plan to continue innovative research with SKT, NTT, and NTT Docomo to design the network of the future.”

Ryu Tak-ki, Head of Infrastructure Technology at SK Telecom, emphasized, “This development signals cooperation with global operators and manufacturers in developing core 6G technologies, serving as an example of private-sector collaboration among Korea, the U.S., Japan, and Europe,” adding, “AI company"We will continue research and development to apply AI to the infrastructure area, which is the foundation of our company," they stated.