KT said on February 11 that it has successfully demonstrated AI-based next-generation wireless transmission and reception technology in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies and Germany-based telecom test and measurement firm Rohde & Schwarz.
The demonstration was based on an AI-powered Channel State Information (CSI) compression technology currently under development in 3GPP Release 20. The technology uses artificial intelligence to learn the wireless environment between base stations and user devices, improving the accuracy of channel state information and enhancing downlink performance at the base station.
KT and Qualcomm built the test environment by integrating a next-generation Snapdragon mobile platform equipped with AI capabilities with Rohde & Schwarz’s AI-enabled base station system, the CMX500 One-Box Tester. KT applied an optimized AI model trained with its own 5G network operation data and base station configuration information.
According to KT, the demonstration showed a significant improvement in CSI accuracy, resulting in an approximately 50 percent increase in downlink performance compared with conventional methods.
The company said the results validate the practical effectiveness of AI in improving real-world wireless performance and highlight the commercial applicability of AI-RAN technologies based on 3GPP standards in future network environments.
In addition to this technology, KT has been developing a range of AI-driven network operation solutions, including AI TEMS, an intelligent temperature management system for telecom facilities, and ESKIMO, a power-saving solution for base stations and servers. Looking ahead to the 6G era, KT plans to strengthen cooperation with global technology companies to advance AI-based autonomous network operations and contribute to international standardization efforts.
Kim Sang-pyo, president of Qualcomm Korea, said the collaboration with KT represents an important step toward scalable edge AI in the 6G era. Andreas Pauly, chief technology officer of Rohde & Schwarz, noted that the confirmed performance gains achieved through AI models mark a significant milestone for future communication technologies.
Lee Jong-sik, executive vice president and head of KT’s Future Network Research Laboratory, said 6G represents an evolution toward intelligent networks that combine AI and wireless communications rather than simply delivering higher speeds. He added that KT will continue to secure AI-based wireless technologies that enhance customer experience through strategic partnerships.
