Samsung Secures Strategic AI RAN Contracts with KT and SK Telecom in Korea’s Hyper AI Network Initiative

Samsung Electronics has formalized contracts with KT and SK Telecom to spearhead AI RAN projects as a part of the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT’s (MSIT) ‘Hyper AI Network’ initiative. The agreements designate Samsung as the exclusive global vendor for KT and a principal vendor for SK Telecom, reinforcing its longstanding partnerships with Korea’s major telecommunications operators and its leadership in AI-native network innovation.

The projects will commence in October 2026, focusing on the deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) private networks across industrial sectors such as shipyards and petrochemical facilities. The objective is to validate AI RAN capabilities within these environments and generate actionable insights for future applications.

Strategic Partnership and Technological Advancement

The initiative, led by MSIT, is a collaborative effort involving operators, network solution providers, and industry partners, designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies like AI RAN, physical AI, and autonomous operations. These projects aim to establish a robust foundation for transitioning to 6G.

June Moon, Executive Vice President and Head of R&D, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics, remarked on Korea’s leadership in global digital innovation. He emphasized the significant role of AI RAN in evolving networks into platforms that connect intelligent machines, such as humanoids and autonomous vehicles, marking a pivotal step in future connectivity advancements.

AI-Powered Industrial Applications

AI-Enabled Welding Robots

At HD Hyundai Samho’s Yeongam Shipyard, KT will implement field trials for AI-driven physical services, including robotics for manufacturing tasks like welding and painting, alongside telecom facility operations.

For the AI-enhanced quadruped welding robot use case, Samsung will provide KT with its AI-native solutions, comprising the Network in a Server (NIS) platform. This includes virtualized RAN (vRAN), AI Core, and the Samsung CognitiV Network Operations Suite (NOS) for intelligent automation. The quadruped robot, leveraging 5G connectivity, can autonomously perceive its surrounding environment to execute precision welding tasks.

Samsung’s solutions are tailored to meet the stringent network demands of physical AI services, focusing on ultra-low latency, reliability, and consistent throughput essential for precise robotic control. The NIS, designed for on-premise deployment and local data processing, operates on AMD EPYC 8004 Server CPU-powered Compact Edge Servers with Wind River Cloud Platform, offering scalable, site-specific performance enhancements including GPU acceleration as needed.

Autonomous Patrol Robots

In a parallel effort, SK Telecom will conduct validations at SK Incheon Petrochem, focusing on AI-based autonomous patrolling robots and CCTV monitoring within complex petrochemical environments. The patrol robots will transmit real-time high-definition video for AI analysis, detecting potential hazards and supporting comprehensive monitoring.

Samsung’s provision of its AI-native NIS solution for SK Telecom’s project will explore AI-native connectivity’s impact on safety and operational efficiency in petrochemical settings.

Takki Yu, Head of Network Technology Office at SK Telecom, asserted the synergistic value of AI when supported by robust technological frameworks. This project, in partnership with Samsung, aims to advance AI RAN as a cornerstone technology within the Hyper AI Network initiative.

Future Directions in AI RAN Technology

Samsung’s AI RAN technology delivers capabilities such as anomaly detection, throughput optimization, and energy efficiency on live networks globally. Continuing its collaboration with leading operators, Samsung seeks to expand the real-world implementation of AI-native, 6G-ready networks, facilitating the growth of AI-driven services worldwide.

Samsung Networks has established itself as a leader in 5G solutions across chipsets, radios, and cores. Through continuous research and development, Samsung is driving the evolution of 5G networks while laying the groundwork for 6G and beyond with its comprehensive product suite, which includes RAN, vRAN, Open RAN, AI RAN, and cloud-native AI core solutions.