LG Uplus, AWS, and Samsung Electronics are jointly developing AI-based automation technology to control 5G equipment capacity, providing optimal quality and stable service.

LG Uplus announced on the 27th that it has decided to collaborate with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Samsung Electronics to develop an automation function that optimizes the timing of 5G equipment expansion using AI at the Mobile World Congress 2024 (MWC 2024) held in Barcelona, Spain.

The technology the three companies have agreed to collaborate on is an automation technology designed to prepare for increased data usage. This technology allows users to leverage Samsung Electronics' cloud-native core software, built on the AWS cloud, to use AI to predict the optimal timing for equipment expansion and automatically scale up equipment to ensure seamless service. For example, in cases of traffic surges, such as during the New Year's countdown, AWS's AI can increase the capacity of 5G equipment from 10GB to 20GB, ensuring uninterrupted service.

The three companies demonstrated this technology at the AWS booth inside the Fira Barcelona exhibition hall, where MWC 2024 will be held. Samsung Electronics' "5G UPF (User Plane Function)" used in this demonstration is a cloud-native device that utilizes container technology. It performs network functions that process the user plane in the 5G core network. AWS's AI and machine learning technologies allow it to predict sudden traffic increases and efficiently increase equipment capacity without inconveniencing customers.

Previously, LG Uplus signed a business agreement with AWS in 2022 to develop network cloud technology and has been researching ways to build network equipment on the AWS cloud. In addition, Samsung Electronics has completed a verification of a backup network configuration that enables stable network operation even in the event of a telecommunications disaster such as an earthquake or fire by deploying its cloud-native 5G UPF equipment on AWS.

With this demonstration as an opportunity, the three companies pledged to continue joint research on AI and machine learning-based cloud equipment automation technology in the future.

Lee Sang-heon, head of NW Advanced Development at LG Uplus, said, “Through this collaboration, we expect to be able to provide optimal quality and stable services by applying AWS’s AI-based operational automation technology to Samsung Electronics’ cloud native core.” He added, “Going forward, we will strengthen our cooperation with technology-leading companies such as AWS and Samsung Electronics to secure competitiveness in next-generation network technology that utilizes AI and the cloud to innovate customer experiences.”

Ham Ki-ho, CEO of AWS Korea, said, “As the use of cloud technology in telecommunications services increases, the new evolution of 5G services is becoming increasingly visible,” and “We expect that LG Uplus will be able to achieve innovation, efficiency, and automation of its telecommunications network by utilizing machine learning and data analysis services from AWS, the world’s most comprehensive and widely adopted cloud.”

“We are delighted to be developing AI-based smart and efficient network operation automation technology in collaboration with LG Uplus and AWS based on Samsung Electronics’ cloud native core technology,” said Yoon Bo-young, Senior Vice President and Head of Call Software Development Group at Samsung Electronics’ Network Business. “Samsung Electronics will continue to collaborate with industry-leading companies to lead the next-generation network technology innovation that will make the communications environment more flexible.”