Is AI stepping in to save 5G from decline? NVIDIA, alongside SoftBank Group’s telecoms division SoftBank Corp. recently launched world’s first AI and 5G telecommunications network ‘AITRAS.’
Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) refers to the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) into the radio access network (RAN) of cellular systems like 5G and 6G. This combination enables smarter, more efficient network performance and management.
Jinsung Choi, the chairman of AI-RAN Alliance, took to LinkedIn to announce that this breakthrough solution “empowers telecom networks, transforming their operations with flexible, cost-efficient, and GPU-based AI orchestration”.
NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang and SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son previously discussed the telecom network, during which they talked about Japan’s emerging role in AI.
“Now this intelligence network will become one big neural brain for the infrastructure intelligence,” Son said, adding that it “will be amazing”.
Building a Strong Infrastructure
Any advanced network that allows AI and 5G to operate simultaneously unlocks newer and higher revenue opportunities for telecom providers. Integrating AI and 5G ultimately involves building a strong communication infrastructure that can support enterprise-level wireless services.
An Ericsson white paper published this year explores how 5G solutions, enhanced by AI-driven network management, can meet the changing connectivity needs of businesses, offering secure, adaptable, and scalable services.
According to another research paper, bringing 5G to life requires a robust infrastructure that includes high-speed fibre networks to manage massive data flows, edge computing to bring processing closer to end-users, and network slicing to optimise bandwidth and performance for different applications.
Together, these components enable the low-latency, high-bandwidth, and reliable wireless experience that 5G promises. This integrated approach forms the backbone of a seamless, next-generation connectivity experience.
Space vs. Speed
Latency and bandwidth are essential for modern connectivity, especially as AI-driven applications demand faster data processing and transmission.
The increasing demand for faster data processing and transmission by AI-driven applications has highlighted the importance of latency and bandwidth for modern connectivity. 5G offers high-speed, low-latency capabilities, but its usage is limited to urban areas.
Elon Musk offers an alternative through Starlink, which aims to use low-earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet access across vast regions, including remote and underserved areas.
Satellite internet services like Starlink could work alongside or even compete with 5G networks like Jio. As AI applications grow and need stronger, more widespread connections, using both satellite internet and 5G together may be essential to meet various connectivity demands.
In India, where rural connectivity remains a challenge, Starlink’s technology could help bridge the digital divide, offering reliable internet in areas where 5G infrastructure isn’t practical.
This could reshape India’s connectivity landscape, traditionally led by terrestrial networks like 5G, with the potential for both technologies to coexist. In areas where 5G deployment is challenging, satellite internet services offer a promising alternative.
Together, these technologies could create a more comprehensive, resilient network for tomorrow’s digital needs, ensuring connectivity reaches even the most remote regions.
Quantum Leap or 5G’s Last Dance?
On its official blog, Nokia said that cloud intelligence and quantum networking are helping quantum computing grow, making resource use smarter and creating networks that mix quantum and regular computing.
Quantum networking, with advances in quantum communication and the potential for a quantum internet, could eventually make 5G less essential.
Cloud intelligence and quantum networking are driving exciting new developments, from breakthroughs in quantum computing to smarter ways of allocating resources and creating networks that blend quantum and traditional computing.
The collaboration between AI and quantum computing is expected to drive progress across many fields, helping industries become more efficient, adaptable, and responsive to changing demands.
These technologies promise to significantly enhance future 5G networks, enabling smarter resource management, better user location tracking, and advanced edge intelligence for both satellite and ground networks.
Google Cloud’s Network Intelligence Center provides a unified console for managing network visibility, monitoring, and troubleshooting, simplifying and streamlining network management.
This platform allows users to view network topology, check connectivity between endpoints, monitor performance, and receive insights on firewall rules, supporting more proactive network management.
Additionally, the Network Intelligence Center automatically monitors Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) configurations, detecting misconfigurations and suboptimal setups to ensure networks perform at their best.
Will 5G Coexist or Disappear?
As we enter a new era in wireless communication, a question emerges: Will 5G continue to coexist with newer technologies, or will it become obsolete?
5G has significantly advanced connectivity by delivering high-speed data and low latency. However, as AI-driven applications grow, so does the demand for faster and more reliable networks.
5G may eventually reach its capacity, opening the door for 6G, suggested Stanley Russel, director at CD Tech Innovations, in his article titled ‘When Is 6G Coming, and What Does It Mean for 5G and 4G LTE?’.
6G is anticipated to revolutionise wireless communication with ultra-fast speeds and seamless AI integration. This leap could support AI applications across fields like autonomous vehicles and smart cities. However, developing and deploying 6G will require considerable infrastructure investment and major technological breakthroughs to meet the demands of the AI-driven future.
The rapid expansion of AI applications requires robust and expansive networks. Traditional 5G infrastructure alone may not meet these needs, spurring interest in alternative solutions.
The concept of ‘outernet’ involves a global satellite network offering free internet access. This innovation could reshape traditional internet delivery and global connectivity.
To conclude, while 5G has marked a significant advancement, the needs of tomorrow’s AI-powered world may require it to coexist with, or eventually yield to, future solutions like 6G, satellite internet, and the outernet.
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