Samsung Collaborates with KT and SK Telecom on AI RAN Project in South Korea

Samsung's Groundbreaking AI RAN Project in South Korea

Samsung Electronics, a leading global technology company headquartered in South Korea, announced on September 23, 2026, its partnership with KT and SK Telecom for the AI RAN project under the auspices of the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). Samsung emerges as the only global vendor for the KT project and takes on the role of main vendor with SK Telecom, highlighting its robust partnerships with the country's major telecommunications providers and its achievements in software-driven AI-powered networks.

Scheduled to commence in October 2026, the projects aim to establish a private 5G standalone (SA) networking environment in industrial fields such as shipyards and petrochemical facilities. This initiative seeks to validate the functionalities of AI RAN and gather invaluable insights for future implementation in real-world environments.

With various telecommunications operators, network solution providers, and industry partners involved, MSIT's dual projects are poised to accelerate the societal implementation of cutting-edge technologies like AI RAN, physical AI, and autonomous operations, thus laying the technological foundation for the next generation communication standard, known as 6G.

Vice President June Moon of Samsung Electronics expressed pride in contributing to this transformative endeavor, stating, "South Korea has long been at the forefront of global digital technology development. As a key partner deeply rooted in the country, we are honored to drive the next wave of network innovation with major telecommunications providers through this AI RAN initiative. The evolution of AI into embodied intelligence aligns seamlessly with transforming communication networks into core platforms connecting next-gen machines like humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles. Combining AI RAN with physical AI within industrial settings will serve as a vital milestone toward realizing a connected society of the future."

Implementation of AI-Enabled Welding Robots in Shipyards

One of the milestones achieved during this project includes a field test at HD Hyundai Samho's Yeongam shipyard, where KT conducts practical experiments leveraging physical AI services. The testing spans various applications, from operationalizing welding and painting robots to deploying autonomous robots responsible for network operations.

Samsung plays a crucial role in this undertaking by providing a software-driven AI-native solution comprising virtualized RAN (vRAN), AI core, and AI applications through the integrated edge AI platform, termed the "Network in a Server (NIS)". This partnership, utilizing 5G communication, allows quadruped robots to comprehend their working environment and execute precision welding tasks autonomously.

Addressing the challenging network demands specific to physical AI in industrial settings, Samsung ensures ultra-low latency, high reliability, and stable effective data transfer speeds essential for real-time robot controls. The design of NIS, which includes an on-premise environment for data processing, enables network functions and AI capabilities to operate near the production locale where data is generated and decisions are made. Equipped with Supermicro's compact edge servers and Wind River Cloud Platform for vRAN and 5G SA core software, the solution allows adaptable expansions based on local conditions, with options to incorporate GPU computing for enhanced processing speeds.

KT's Executive Director Jongsik Lee commented on the project's significance: "We view this initiative as a critical launchpad for validating the future integration of AI and networks in next-generation communication systems. Collaborating with Samsung, we aim to establish core technologies and service models that will lead us into the AI-native 6G era."

Autonomous Patrol Robots in Petrochemical Facilities

In a parallel effort under the Hyper AI Network initiative, SK Telecom conducts a pilot program at the SK Incheon Oil Refinery, a major energy hub in the Seoul metropolitan area. This project integrates autonomous patrol robots and CCTV monitoring systems to ensure safety in potentially hazardous zones. These patrol robots continuously move throughout the facility and transmit high-definition footage in real-time, allowing AI to recognize potential risks and establish a comprehensive surveillance framework.

Samsung is once again integral to this venture, supplying its AI-native edge solution, NIS, to enhance the monitoring and safety measures at the petrochemical facility, which requires stringent oversight of complex chemical processes.

Takki Yu, head of SK Telecom's Network Technology Office, remarked, "At SK Telecom, we believe that AI, when paired with the right foundation, can generate significant value, which this project embodies. Leveraging our AI expertise and partnering with Samsung, we will validate physical AI services in real environments while supporting the government's Hyper AI Network and AI Highway policies."

Samsung's AI RAN stands out with capabilities like anomaly detection, enhanced effective data transfer rates, and energy efficiency improvements, thoroughly tested in operational commercial networks worldwide. With these proven accomplishments, Samsung collaborates continuously with carriers and partners to expand the real-world application of AI-native, 6G-oriented networks, promoting the proliferation of AI-powered services in the global market.

In the realm of network solutions, Samsung is pioneering end-to-end offerings for the 5G landscape, including chipsets, radio equipment, and core networks. Through continued research and development, the company is leading the evolution of 5G networks while paving the path for future connectivity standards like 6G. Employing dedicated RAN equipment, vRAN, Open RAN, AI RAN, cloud-native AI cores, private network solutions, and automation tools like CognitiV NOS, Samsung aims to provide seamless communication environments for millions of users worldwide.