Ericsson and SK Telecom Deepen Partnership on AI-Powered 5G and Future 6G Networks

Ericsson  and SK Telecom  announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration on mobile network technologies spanning 5G to future 6G. The agreement underscores the two companies’ shared commitment to driving innovation in next-generation connectivity.

Under the agreement, the two companies will explore joint initiatives across key technology areas, including:

• AI-powered Radio Access Networks (RAN) to enhance performance, security, and energy efficiency by autonomously learning, predicting, and optimizing channel conditions, as well as managing resources more efficiently.
• 5G advancements to unlock new business opportunities and enable next-generation services.
• Open and autonomous networks to improve productivity and operational efficiency, aiming to enhance productivity and operational efficiency in multi-vendor environments.
• End-to-end security built on zero trust architecture and continuous monitoring, providing stronger protection and real-time threat response across both 5G Advanced and 6G environments.
• 6G standardization and future technologies such as spectrum strategy, extreme MIMO evolution, energy efficiency, and Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). Through joint research, SKT and Ericsson aim to strengthen their global collaboration framework and secure a leading position in the 6G technology ecosystem, driving the evolution of next-generation AI-powered networks.

This collaboration will establish a framework for ongoing technology evolution, enabling the practical deployment of innovations in the 5G era while laying the foundation for long term 6G research and standardization. The MoU is effective until March 2, 2031, and focuses on joint exploration, validation, and potential commercialization of cutting-edge network technologies.

“We’re pleased to deepen our partnership with SK Telecom to accelerate AI‑powered RAN, 5G monetization, open autonomous networks and zero‑trust security — while laying the groundwork for AI‑native 6G. Together we’ll move rapidly from standards and trials to commercial solutions that boost performance, energy efficiency and security — strengthening South Korea’s leadership in next‑generation connectivity.”

– Mårten Lerner, Head of Networks Strategy and Product Management, Ericsson

“Our collaboration with Ericsson will be a core engine propelling the evolution of AI-powered networks, paving the way toward 6G. Through research focused on global standardization and real-world validation, we aim to secure world-class technological leadership in AI-powered network evolution and 6G.”

– Yu Takki, Head of Network Technology Office, SK Telecom