Two Asian technology heavyweights have agreed to jointly develop sixth-generation mobile networks and artificial intelligence-enhanced communications infrastructure, positioning themselves for the next wave of wireless connectivity.

Samsung Electronics and SoftBank Corp signed a memorandum of understanding this week outlining collaborative research across four technological areas: 6G networks, AI-optimised radio access networks (AI-RAN), AI integration with existing network infrastructure, and what the companies term "Large Telecom Models"—presumably AI systems trained on telecommunications data.

The partnership will see both firms leverage their respective technical expertise and network deployment experience to identify practical applications, develop core technologies and demonstrate their effectiveness. The collaboration arrives as the industry begins standardising 6G specifications, with discussions emerging around new frequency allocations including the 7GHz spectrum band.

Central to the agreement is AI-RAN technology, which the companies expect will prove crucial for optimising wireless network performance. This encompasses both using artificial intelligence to enhance radio access network operations and developing orchestration systems that efficiently manage AI computational workloads alongside traditional base station functions.

The partners also intend exploring generative AI applications within communications networks—a research area gaining traction as operators seek to reduce costs and improve service quality through intelligent automation.

JinGuk Jeong, who heads Samsung Research's Advanced Communications Research Centre, characterised the collaboration as defining "meaningful use cases for both operators and end users" whilst securing technologies for eventual commercial deployment. Samsung continues positioning itself as a 6G research leader, planning to host a Future Wireless Summit in Silicon Valley next month bringing together industry, academic and government representatives.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, SoftBank's chief technology officer, framed the partnership as accelerating "next-generation networks that evolve to become more efficient and highly reliable through AI-RAN." He described such infrastructure as essential for "a future society where AI and humans coexist."

The agreement reflects intensifying competition amongst telecommunications equipment manufacturers and network operators to shape 6G standards before commercial deployment, expected sometime in the 2030s. Current 5G networks continue rolling out globally, but industry players are already positioning for the subsequent generation, hoping to establish intellectual property portfolios and technical advantages.

Samsung competes directly with Scandinavian rivals Nokia and Ericsson in selling network equipment to mobile operators worldwide, whilst also manufacturing smartphones and other consumer electronics. SoftBank operates Japan's third-largest mobile network and has historically demonstrated willingness to deploy emerging technologies, having been among the first operators globally to launch commercial 5G services.

The partnership also signals growing recognition that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reshape telecommunications infrastructure, moving beyond incremental improvements to enable qualitatively different network architectures and service models.