SKT Announces 'Telco Edge AI' Open RAN Research Achievements... Collaboration with 10 Global Companies

O-RAN Global PlugFest 2024 Unveils
Virtualized Base Station and Wireless Network Optimization Technologies

SK Telecom announced on the 8th that it showcased research achievements with 10 global open RAN manufacturers, including Broadcom and Ericsson, at the global event for open RAN (Open Radio Access Network) verification, 'O-RAN Global PlugFest 2024.'

SK Telecom researchers are testing to showcase Open RAN technology at the O-RAN Global PlugFest 2024. Photo by SK Telecom

Open RAN is a standard technology that separates mobile communication base station equipment into hardware and software, enabling interoperability even if manufacturers differ.

O-RAN Global PlugFest 2024 is an event that tests and shares the openness, interoperability, and functionality of base station devices and solutions based on the O-RAN Alliance (a global organization leading open RAN technology standardization, established in 2018 by major global telecom operators) specifications. SKT has participated as the event organizer for three consecutive years.

The open RAN technology SKT showcased this time includes virtualized base stations and AI-based radio network optimization technology. The open RAN virtualized base station technology plays a key role in the 'Telco Edge AI' architecture by enabling the base station to provide both wireless communication functions and AI inference computation simultaneously. SKT is conducting research and development (R&D) to integrate wireless communication functions and AI inference computation functions together on general-purpose hardware.

Through this event, SKT presented results analyzing the performance, capacity, and power consumption of various virtualized base station architectures developed in collaboration with Ericsson, Nokia, and others.

Additionally, SKT announced R&D results optimizing the power consumption of open RAN base stations using AI technology and demonstrated the feasibility of radio network efficiency improvements. In this research, SKT successfully interoperated equipment and solutions from other manufacturers such as Broadcom, HCL Tech, and Viavi Solutions based on open interfaces.

Furthermore, SKT developed and verified power-saving technology for open front haul-based radio signal processing units (RU, which communicate with mobile communication terminals and process radio signals) in collaboration with HFR and Keysight Technologies.

Ryu Tak-gi, head of SKT's infrastructure technology division, stated, "Open RAN is a core technology for realizing 'Telco Edge AI,' and this achievement is significant in that it showcased our related technological capabilities on the global stage and indicated the direction of technological evolution. We will continue steady preparation for the evolution to future networks through ongoing research and development."