NTT DoCoMo and Samsung amplify AI-RAN at the smartphone level

NTT DoCoMo and Samsung Electronics validated AI-based radio access network (AI-RAN) optimization technology at the consumer device level, reducing communication-speed degradation from 13.1% to 7.2% in a Japan-based field test. The system uses aggregated user device data to predict and prevent throughput degradation before service quality declines, with compute run on Samsung hardware. The companies will continue collaboration for 6G use cases and contribute findings to 3GPP.

NTT DoCoMo and Samsung Electronics validated AI-based radio access network AI-RAN optimization technology at the consumer device level. The Asian giants operated AI-RAN optimization technology at the individual-user level rather than applying blanket configurations across an entire cell, automatically applying configurations tailored to real-time wireless conditions and the services being used. Instead of focusing on radio link failure prediction, a customer-experience-driven approach was adopted aimed at supporting uninterrupted video streaming and other latency-heavy services. The system uses aggregated data from user devices to analyze individual user contexts and movement trends to flag early signs of throughput degradation before service quality declines. According to DoCoMo, the AI element proactively predicts network degradation before performance drops occur, with compute run on Samsung hardware. In their Japan-based field test, the companies claimed to have reduced the frequency of communication-speed degradation from 13.1% to 7.2% when compared with traditional operations. DoCoMo and Samsung also developed a data collection process to minimize network congestion during wireless network optimization by selectively gathering only essential information based on specific user issues. Eschewing the traditional bulk collection and processing of wireless environment data, the method was claimed to reduce strain on the network while gathering the critical data needed for the AI-RAN operation. Both firms will continue their collaboration to explore future 6G use cases, and contribute their findings and methods to 3GPP research discussions. “This achievement represents a significant step toward realizing more adaptive and user-centric communication experiences in future networks," Masafumi Masuda, SVP and GM for 6G research and development at NTT DoCoMo's Innovation Division, noted in a statement. "Through partnerships with Samsung, DoCoMo will continue to advance AI-based technologies and explore practical applications to further enhance service quality and deliver new value to our customers." “By shifting our research focus from overall cell performance to AI-driven individual user considerations, we have demonstrated the potential for enhanced perceived quality at the user level,” JinGuk Jeong, EVP and head of advanced communications for research at Samsung Electronics, added. “Through close collaboration with DoCoMo, we will continue securing core technologies for future communications centered around users.”