- Nvidia leads AI-native 6G alliance
- 6G to run on software-defined open radios
- AI-RAN targets major efficiency gains
At Mobile World Congress, Nvidia, along with Booz Allen, BT Group, Cisco, Deutsche Telekom, Ericsson, MITRE, Nokia, OCUDU Ecosystem Foundation, ODC, SK Telecom, SoftBank Corp. and T-Mobile, announced a commitment to develop next-generation wireless networks based on AI-native and open platforms.
Nvidia said participating members will work toward building 6G networks using software-controlled radios operating on general-purpose computers powered by artificial intelligence to manage radio traffic safely and efficiently.
The company said 5G networks were primarily designed for voice & data connectivity and are not equipped to handle widespread AI-driven applications. Future networks, it said, will require significantly higher efficiency levels.
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Ronnie Vasishta, who heads Nvidia’s telecommunications business & strategy, said networks will need far greater efficiency, and AI can help route traffic safely and efficiently. He added that telecom networks would require “hundreds of thousands of times” more efficiency because there isn’t enough radio spectrum to support new uses.
According to Nvidia, the proposed 6G framework will rely on open radio systems controlled by software on general-purpose computing platforms, enabling broader participation from new market entrants.
The company said 6G networks are expected to extend beyond traditional communication functions to support autonomous machines, vehicles, sensors & robotics, increasing requirements for security and operational resilience. It noted that legacy wireless architectures were not designed for such complexity.
“AI is redefining computing and driving the largest infrastructure buildout in human history, and telecommunications is next,” said Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO of NVIDIA. “Together with a global coalition of industry leaders, NVIDIA is building AI-RAN to transform the world’s telecom networks into AI infrastructure everywhere.”