Preparing intelligent networks for the AI era

According to Ericsson, telcos are preparing intelligent networks for the AI era—turning basic connectivity into high-value assets.

Managing infrastructure now means overseeing automated, AI-driven platforms rather than static pipelines. Upgrading to 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced establishes the required baseline for running AI across all operational domains.

Operators need this embedded intelligence to handle data-heavy workloads like generative models, agentic applications, and physical robotics systems. By integrating custom silicon directly into radio units, communication service providers gain better energy performance and stronger uplink capabilities.

Preparing intelligent networks for AI operations

Industry collaboration is driving early research towards commercially viable rollouts. Deploying autonomous systems requires interoperable technology that spans radio access network computing, transport, core environments, and management software.

To handle the processing demands of future connectivity, operators must align their compute, cloud, and radio architectures. Collaborative efforts – such as the work between Ericsson and Intel – focus on accelerating AI-native 6G spanning connectivity and cloud environments. This joint engineering targets AI-driven radio access networks and packet core use cases, alongside necessary platform security.

Open, interoperable software represents another vital layer for avoiding vendor lock-in and scaling intelligent platforms. Through initiatives like the Linux Foundation’s OCUDU project, equipment providers are developing portable, open-source CU/DU software stacks. Ericsson serves as a founding premier member of this group, providing architectural guidance designed to accelerate wireless innovation.

Embedding intelligence across the edge and core is essential for securing automated physical deployments. Partnerships involving NVIDIA aim to advance open platforms that integrate AI capabilities directly into the network architecture to build operational trust for physical AI.

For long-term capital allocation, operators now have tangible commercial horizons. A milestone-driven roadmap, established by an industry coalition including Ericsson and Qualcomm at MWC, plots a course for deploying commercial 6G systems starting from 2029.

Erik Ekudden, Group CTO at Ericsson, says: “We are already on the journey toward an intelligent fabric, and it is happening right now. With clear proof points across the entire network, we are proving that a fully AI-powered network is not a distant capability five years out.

“By bringing intelligence into every domain today, we are giving the industry the foundation it needs to scale the next generation of AI.”

Maximising architecture value in the AI era

Hardware interoperability represents a primary hurdle for service providers aiming to launch commercial 6G services by 2030.

Validating new standards early helps device manufacturers ensure their products function correctly upon release. Lab tests with Qualcomm have already confirmed physical-layer capabilities, exploring the 6–8 GHz cmWave bands to improve uplink performance.

Data calls conducted using prototype user equipment from MediaTek demonstrate features designed to lower latency, a requirement for scaling extended reality applications augmented by AI.

Managing spectrum allocation presents another operational challenge. Live demonstrations with Apple showcasing Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing between 5G and simulated 6G environments highlight methods for migrating networks without wasting valuable spectrum resources.

With initial 3GPP specifications anticipated in 2029, connectivity leaders must evaluate their current infrastructure maturity. Securing proof points around interoperability allows communication service providers to plan future rollouts with confidence.

Telcos should focus their immediate resources on maximising the value of existing 5G Standalone architectures and network APIs in the AI era. Actively participating in standardisation efforts and ecosystem partnerships ensures internal network strategies align with the broader trajectory of the telecoms industry.

See also: Why AI and automated operations need horizontal telco clouds

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