Nokia is reporting growing global momentum for AI-RAN as telecommunications operators across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East move the technology from early evaluations toward laboratory and live field trials. The developments point to a broader industry shift toward more intelligent, software-defined radio access networks and the longer-term evolution of AI-native 6G infrastructure.
The company said its expanding engagement with A1 Group, Chunghwa Telecom, du, e&, Mobily, stc, TPG Telecom and Zain Saudi demonstrates increasing operator interest in AI-RAN as a potential commercial technology. Nokia also noted that previously announced trials with operators including NTT DOCOMO continue to progress.
The latest developments build on Nokia’s recent AI-RAN milestones, including the launch of what the company describes as the industry’s first commercial AI-native RAN platform. Nokia has also conducted evaluations with T-Mobile, SoftBank and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, expanded its OEM ecosystem and strengthened collaboration with NVIDIA on AI-RAN platform and software development tools.
According to Nokia, its AI-RAN platform has achieved more than 20% improvements in spectral efficiency through AI-powered radio innovations. The company is continuing software development aimed at delivering additional efficiency gains through 2027 and 2028.
The technology is designed to help operators increase network capacity and improve the economics of existing spectrum and infrastructure investments. By shifting more network intelligence into software, AI-RAN could reduce dependence on traditional hardware refresh cycles while creating opportunities for new services.
Nokia says changing traffic patterns driven by AI applications are increasing uplink demand and distributed computing requirements. Its AI-RAN architecture combines AI-native anyRAN software with NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer, providing a software-defined approach for 5G with an upgrade path toward 6G.
Emma Falck, President of Mobile Infrastructure at Nokia, said growing operator engagement shows AI-RAN is progressing from an industry vision toward commercial applications. Omdia Practice Leader for Mobile Infrastructure Remy Pascal said the breadth of interest across regions indicates that AI-RAN is becoming a strategic consideration for service providers.
NVIDIA Senior Vice President of Telecom Ronnie Vasishta said the combination of NVIDIA Aerial RAN Computer and Nokia’s AI-RAN software could support continuously improving network performance while enabling new AI services at the network edge.
As operators prepare for increasing AI-related traffic and the transition toward 6G, AI-RAN is emerging as an area of collaboration between network vendors, technology companies, OEMs and telecommunications providers.
