South Korea's SK Telecom and Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly develop AI-driven wireless access network (RAN) technology, aiming to lead the next-generation 6G network innovation.

Under the agreement, the two companies will research and demonstrate core 6G technologies, including AI-based channel estimation, distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission and reception, as well as AI-RAN-based scheduling and core network solutions.

SK Telecom will leverage its nationwide network operation expertise to provide data and establish demonstration infrastructure, while Samsung Electronics will advance AI-powered channel estimation models and distributed MIMO algorithms.

The joint research initiative will be co-led by SK Telecom and Samsung's research divisions.