Samsung Electronics has secured separate contracts with South Korean operators SK Telecom (SKT) and KT to develop and validate AI-RAN technologies under the country’s Hyper AI Network initiative.
Samsung said it is the only vendor selected for both projects, taking the role of sole global vendor for the KT-led project and serving as a main vendor for the SKT initiative.
The projects will deploy private standalone 5G networks at industrial sites to validate AI-RAN capabilities and generate insights for wider deployments.
The initiatives bring together the operators, technology vendors, artificial intelligence companies, universities, enterprises and certification bodies to advance physical AI applications and support the development of AI-native 6G networks.
Samsung said its software-driven AI-RAN products would be used to advance physical AI across industries, linking intelligent machines and AI services with next-generation connectivity.
The KT-led project will conduct field trials of physical AI services at HD Hyundai Samho’s Yeongam Shipyard. Applications will include welding and painting robots operating within the industrial facility.
SKT, meanwhile, will validate physical AI services at SK Incheon Petrochem’s energy hub. One of the planned applications is an autonomous robot designed to patrol hazardous areas.
Samsung EVP and Head of R&D at its Networks business, June Moon, said the company was proud to work with leading operators on the projects.
“As AI evolves toward embodied intelligence, networks are becoming platforms that connect a new generation of intelligent machines, including humanoids and autonomous vehicles,” he said.
“Bringing AI RAN and physical AI together in real-world industrial settings marks a meaningful step toward the future of connectivity.”
Samsung’s participation in both projects comes after Ericsson was announced last month as the sole global network technology company selected as a main consortium partner for the SKT project.
The two AI-RAN initiatives form part of South Korea’s Hyper AI Network programme, which is backed by the National Information Society Agency and has a total budget of KRW17.2 billion ($12.6 million).
