Kickstarting the 6G Revolution with AI-RAN Integration
Traditional mobile networks are divided into two main components: the Radio Access Network (RAN) and the Core Network. The RAN manages direct connections between devices and base stations, allocating resources to optimize network utilization. The Core Network, by contrast, handles functions less directly tied to connectivity, such as identity authentication, billing, and value-added services.
The core of future 6G is AI Native, where AI enhances functionality across all layers of the network during the transmission process. This integration can be categorized into three main approaches: AI for RAN, AI on RAN, and AI and RAN.
AI for RAN leverages AI to improve wireless connectivity and optimize resource allocation. AI on RAN refers to deploying AI applications directly on network nodes, such as base stations, enabling them to run AI workloads or process parameters for small machine learning models on devices. As for AI and RAN, it explores the possibility of transforming base stations into edge-computing nodes, a concept currently actively discussed within the industry.
As more communication functions become software-defined and modular, capable of running on GPUs and CPUs, their operational model increasingly resembles that of AI. In the future, RAN will no longer be a rigidly defined network unit but rather a platform tightly integrated with AI computing resources, capable of processing both communication and AI-related tasks.
In 2025, several industry leaders have already demonstrated AI and RAN test platforms, signaling the emergence of AI and RAN as a critical trend in networking. As AI models become more powerful, they not only improve communication technologies but also reshape how communication systems themselves are designed. This two-way interplay between AI and communications is set to become a key driver of 6G development.
Moreover, satellite communications will play a pivotal role in 6G development, particularly through the deployment of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites can cover roughly 80% of Earth that remains beyond terrestrial network coverage. Seamlessly integrating LEO satellites with existing mobile technologies will enable smartphones to connect directly via satellite, with the satellites effectively functioning as base stations. This transformation opens up significant commercial potential.
Hon Hai Research Institute’s Next-generation Communications Research Center has successfully launched satellites into orbit and ensured their stable operation. Broadening LEO satellite development to integrate with AI and 6G represents a pragmatic and promising path for the industry.
