SK Telecom and NTT Docomo have jointly released a white paper outlining key technologies for next-generation telecommunications infrastructure, focusing on the advancement of virtualized radio access networks (vRAN) and the implementation of AI-driven radio access networks (AI-RAN).
The white paper, based on the two companies’ experience in network deployment and operations, provides a systematic analysis of the scalability and deployment benefits of vRAN and AI-RAN from a mobile operator’s perspective. It also emphasizes strengthening collaboration between telecom operators and equipment vendors to accelerate innovation across the broader ecosystem.
The companies identified three key requirements for maximizing vRAN and AI-RAN performance: hardware-software disaggregation, resource pooling, and AI computing integration.
First, they highlighted the need to decouple base station control software from specific hardware, enabling independent deployment. This approach is expected to accelerate service rollout by shifting network functions toward a software-centric architecture.
Second, resource pooling technology, which integrates and manages distributed computing resources, is seen as essential for improving both operational and energy efficiency. The capability allows networks to respond flexibly to fluctuating traffic demands.
Third, the white paper underscores the importance of orchestration technologies that integrate AI and telecommunications resources on xPU-based virtualized base station architectures. This would enable networks to evolve into unified platforms capable of maintaining communication quality while simultaneously supporting AI workloads.
SK Telecom previously demonstrated the commercial viability of resource pooling and orchestration technologies at MWC 2026.
The partnership between the two companies has been ongoing for several years. Since initiating joint research in 2022 on 5G evolution and 6G readiness, they have released a series of white papers covering energy efficiency technologies, 6G requirements, and vRAN design principles.
Industry observers view the latest white paper as more than a technical proposal, suggesting it could strengthen the companies’ influence in the global race for telecommunications standards. In particular, it is seen as significant in defining operator-led technology direction as networks evolve into AI infrastructure centered on AI-RAN.
SK Telecom plans to continue its collaboration with NTT Docomo to enhance 5G competitiveness while advancing 6G standardization and validation efforts. By sharing accumulated technical expertise and operational know-how, the two companies aim to lead the expansion of the next-generation network ecosystem.
Ryu Tak-ki, Head of Network Technology at SK Telecom, said the white paper is meaningful in presenting key elements for the evolution toward autonomous networks, adding that the partnership will contribute to global advancements in telecommunications technology.
