[MWC26] KT and GSMA Co-Publish White Paper...Introducing the AI-Native Network

AI Assesses Network Conditions and Performs Optimization Tasks

KT announced on the 27th that it will co-publish a white paper with the GSM Association (GSMA) at the world's largest mobile exhibition, Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, titled "Intelligent Packet Core-Phase2: How The Intelligent Packet Core Drives 5G/5G-A Monetization."

The 5G Intelligent Packet Core is a technology that processes traffic by combining existing telecommunications technologies with artificial intelligence (AI). Through this, KT plans to introduce an AI-native network. An AI-native network is a technology in which AI assesses network conditions and automatically performs optimization tasks.

KT Corporation announced on the 27th that it will jointly publish a white paper with the GSM Association (GSMA) at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026, the world's largest mobile exhibition, titled Intelligent Packet Core Phase 2: How the Intelligent Packet Core Drives 5G/5G-A Monetization. Cover of the white paper. Provided by KT Corporation

More specifically, AI-RAN (AI-Radio Access Network) and the AI core, which structurally integrate the network and AI, serve as the key pillars. Through the AI-native network, KT aims to advance next-generation telecommunications infrastructure and realize an intelligent network.

The hallmark of AI-RAN is its architecture that integrates the handling of telecommunications traffic and AI workloads on a single infrastructure. In conventional networks, network equipment, servers, and AI computing devices were operated separately, but in an AI-RAN-based architecture, computing resources such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs) can be managed in an integrated manner as a single resource pool.

This makes it possible to allocate resources according to service requirements and traffic conditions, while simultaneously performing AI tasks such as network optimization and training. KT aims to improve overall resource utilization efficiency across the radio access network through this architecture.

The other pillar, the AI core, focuses on enhancing data analytics and operational automation by applying AI and machine learning technologies across the entire core network. KT is responding to failures and improving operational efficiency through AI-based root-cause analysis of call quality issues, network inspections, and automated software upgrades.

This year, the "5G Intelligent Packet Core" white paper is scheduled to be released on the GSMA website during MWC26.

Lee Jongsik, Head of KT’s Future Network Research Institute (Senior Executive Vice President), said, "The AI-native network centered on AI-RAN and the AI core is a new turning point that goes beyond the limitations of existing telecommunications networks," adding, "We will lead 6G through next-generation infrastructure in which the network and AI are organically integrated."

Meanwhile, KT is the only Korean telecommunications operator serving as a member of the GSMA Board of Directors. The company will also participate in MWC26, which opens on March 2 in Barcelona, Spain, where it plans to showcase a variety of next-generation network technologies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.