As 6G standardization gains momentum with AI technology expanding across industries, the two companies aim to enhance overall network performance by applying AI to multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies. MIMO systems increase transmission speed and expand coverage by utilizing multiple antennas to transmit and receive signals. In contrast to traditional MIMO systems that transfer data in a single-cell network, distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) systems deploy multiple cells to offer advantages such as improved performance in coverage boundary areas and the network overall.

Through this collaboration, the companies will research AI-driven solutions to optimize the design and operation of D-MIMO systems — enabling higher transmission speeds at the user level and increased network-wide capacity.

▲ D-MIMO systems

“The joint research with KDDI Research will play an integral role in innovating wireless telecommunications through the convergence of telecommunications and AI technologies,” said Paul (Kyungwhoon) Cheun, CTO of Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics and Head of Samsung Research. “We will lead the next-generation communication research that brings improvements to user experience.”

“I anticipate that our research collaboration will highlight the critical role of AI and D-MIMO in developing a user-centric network that delivers exceptional wireless quality across the target area, ultimately creating new value in 6G,” said Hajime Nakamura, President and CEO of KDDI Research, Inc.

Industry alliances, including the AI-RAN Alliance¹ and the Next G Alliance (NGA),² are pivotal to driving Samsung’s research on integrating AI into communication technologies. In November 2024, Samsung hosted the Silicon Valley Future Wireless Summit to encourage greater collaboration in the industry. Beyond these partnerships and initiatives, the company released a 6G white paper last month outlining its vision for AI-native and sustainable communication technologies.

¹ Collaborative consortium of industry leaders and academic institutions committed to integrating AI into radio access networks (RAN) and propelling the industry toward 6G
² Initiative launched by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) to advance North American leadership in wireless technology over the next decade through private-sector-led efforts

The test was conducted during a professional baseball game held in Okinawa Cellular Stadium in Naha and used Samsung’s 5G end-to-end solution comprised of virtualized core, virtualized RAN, one of the smallest 5G access units and 10 sets of 5G tablet devices. A total of 16 cameras were used to shoot the hitter from different angles and produce free-viewpoint video in real-time for successful transmission towards Samsung’s 5G tablets.

“KDDI has been continuously working toward developing a wide range of new 5G use cases that can elevate the everyday lives of our users,” said Yoshiaki Uchida, Member of the Board, Executive Vice President at KDDI. “Together with Samsung, KDDI will continue to explore ways to provide unprecedented experiences by integrating communications and life design.”

“It is exciting to see how 5G technology can transform our lives,” said Youngky Kim, President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “5G is now a reality. We will continue working with KDDI to explore how the technology can be further developed and applied in our homes and cities.”

Real-time transmission of high-volume videos to mobile devices or large screens is expected to take viewing experience to a whole new level in crowded entertainment and sports venues. By allowing simultaneous transmission of high-volume videos, 5G enables what the preceding mobile technologies were incapable of realizing.

By showing that audiences are now able to view sports games from any angle of their choice and at incredible resolution, today’s test verified that the viewing experience has been taken to a whole new level. It will add a much greater depth to the traditional viewing experience on television broadcast.

Free-viewpoint video is a technology developed by KDDI Research that enables users to view a video from any viewpoint via reconstructing 3D model for human objects and background objects such as the stadium field.

About KDDI

KDDI works to integrate telecommunication and life design in ways that generate the kind of excitement that has helped bring more than 39 million subscribers to the au brand of mobile and fixed telecommunication services. We do this by offering a range of services that bring new value to customers’ lives, including finance and commerce, merchandise sales (through au WALLET Market) and electric power (au Denki).

For corporate customers, we offer not only mobile telecommunication and ICT services, but we also join forces with partners in the 5G and IoT fields to provide a one-stop source of services and solutions that can contribute to customer businesses. In addition, we aim to provide the ideal ICT environment for IoT applications through global, high-quality, highly reliable TELEHOUSE data centers. We proactively pursue consumer business in developing nations, which is our way of contributing to economic development and improved standards of living in nations around the world.