SK Telecom (CEO Jae-heon Chung) and Samsung Electronics will jointly develop 6G AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence-based Radio Access Network), a next-generation mobile communications technology, to strengthen their global 6G competitiveness.

STK announced on the 26th that it signed an MOU with Samsung Electronics for research and verification of core 6G technologies based on AI capabilities.

This collaboration is seen as a strategic move to lay the foundation for commercializing 6G through the convergence of AI and wireless communications.

The research areas that the two companies are focusing on include: AI-based channel estimation technology, distributed multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) transmission and reception technology, and AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network technology.

SKT will be responsible for providing data and building a verification infrastructure based on its experience operating a nationwide network, while Samsung Research will develop AI channel estimation models and advance distributed MIMO algorithms.

AI-based channel estimation technology enables more accurate data transmission by predicting and correcting signal transmission even in environments where radio waves are distorted by obstacles such as buildings and walls.

Distributed MIMO transmission and reception technology is a structure in which multiple base stations and antennas cooperate to exchange data, and is used in areas with large user concentrations.It also supports stable, high-speed communication.

Additionally, AI-RAN-based scheduler and core network technology help the network efficiently allocate resources by determining when and where to transmit data.

This joint research is led by SKT's network technology division and Samsung Electronics' Samsung Research.

The two companies have been collaborating as members of the AI-RAN Alliance since last year, and have been actively engaged in activities such as jointly proposing and receiving approval for AI-based channel estimation technology at the Espoo General Assembly in Finland in June and disclosing research results at the Boston General Assembly in November.

SKT has already published a 6G white paper for the first time among domestic telecommunications companies in 2023, presenting the future direction of networks that utilize AI in cloud, sensors, and robots.

In addition, we showcased an AI-RAN-based base station demonstration at MWC25, and in October 2025, we signed an MOU with NVIDIA for the development of AI-RAN technology, continuing our global collaboration to implement AI networks.

Ryu Tak-gi, head of SKT’s network technology division, said, “The convergence of AI and wireless communications is a key factor that will determine 6G competitiveness,” and emphasized, “Through cooperation with Samsung Electronics, we will secure world-class AI-RAN-based 6G technology and lead the global 6G ecosystem.”

Jeong Jin-guk, head of the Next Generation Communications Research Center at Samsung Research, also said, “We will verify the effectiveness of AI-based wireless technology through field-centered cooperation and secure core AI-RAN technology early,” adding, “We look forward to paving the way for 6G commercialization together through continued cooperation between our two companies.”