Nokia and partners are driving the fusion of AI, Cloud and RAN
Artificial Intelligence (AI), accelerated computing, and Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies are rapidly evolving. Their convergence is creating a powerful new force: AI-RAN. This fusion unlocks unprecedented efficiencies, enhances network performance and user experience, and opens doors to exciting new business opportunities.
In partnership with T-Mobile US, we are deepening our existing collaboration with NVIDIA, to bring the power of AI to RAN in the following three strategic directions:
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Exploring the potential of GPUs and AI to boost capacity, performance, efficiency, and user experience in 5G and eventually in 6G with an AI-based air interface
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Defining the network architectures and platforms to transform today’s Radio Access Network into a multi-purpose Radio Access and AI service platform
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Utilizing the vast computational power not only for telco but also for other AI workloads
Advanced cellular networks, like T-Mobile's network, are already the most widely distributed compute grids. Now imagine if this compute power could be used for multi-purpose and AI workloads. In the future, immersive experiences with 5G-Advanced, will require distributed AI between user devices and a network edge. The more you consider the future consumer experiences beyond today’s smartphone, the more evident the huge transformational potential of AI-RAN becomes.
AI-RAN promises to dramatically improve customers’ real-world network experiences and meet ever-growing demand for increased speeds, reduced latency, and increased reliability needed for the latest gaming, video, social media, and augmented reality applications people enjoy on their mobile and fixed wireless devices. AI-RAN will do this by leveraging billions of data points to devise algorithms that determine optimal network adjustments for maximum performance and to predict real-time capacity where customers need it. AI will not only power RAN performance and automate operations but will supercharge its infrastructure to run AI applications at the edge.
The combined value of AI and RAN might be even bigger for enterprises, as well as other areas such as safety and sustainability. Think about GPUaaS (GPU as a Service) in proximity to a manufacturing plant, for example, or even on-premises. Or – again – think about turning 6G sensing data with AI-RAN into a new level of digital twin, into enhanced road-safety, or into nationwide environmental monitoring.
However, this is just the beginning of a long journey and that is why industry and ecosystem collaboration is crucial to make AI-RAN a reality.
Together with T-Mobile and NVIDIA, we set up an industry-first AI-RAN Innovation Center, which leverages T-Mobile’s 5G leadership, NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform, and Nokia’s global leadership in telecommunications solutions. This center, which will be at Bellevue, Washington, will position Nokia and its partners at the forefront of the fusion of AI, Cloud and RAN.
“AI and RAN are better together, and our mission is to drive fast, global adoption of high-performance, software-defined AI-RAN in a way that offers deployment flexibility and choice. That’s why NVIDIA AI Aerial provides an open architecture for ecosystem partners to host their commercial-grade software, such as 5G virtual RAN. The collaboration with Nokia will turbocharge the wireless network transformation for the AI era,” said Ronnie Vashista, Senior Vice President - Telecoms, NVIDIA.
