The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 18th that it would expand the demonstration of intelligent base stations (AI-RAN) applying artificial intelligence technology to secure the next-generation network market for small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea using open radio access network (Open-RAN) equipment.
Open-RAN is a technology designed based on open standards for mobile communication base station equipment, allowing interconnection between different manufacturers’ equipment. Major countries around the world are moving to adopt this structure, and it is expected that AI-RAN, which combines open-RAN and artificial intelligence, will become a core infrastructure in next-generation 6th generation mobile communication (6G).
To support the global market entry of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Ministry, along with the National Information Society Agency (NIA), is conducting demonstration projects not only for technology development and commercialization but also for specialized networks and AI-RAN. In 2025, the scope of the demonstration field is expected to expand to include 5th generation mobile communications commercial networks and specialized networks.
A specialized 5G mobile communication network for large-scale CCTV video transmission will be installed at Seoul Station. Real-time video data collected from Seoul Station, which is used by an average of more than 100,000 people daily, will be transmitted to servers, and a system will be applied to analyze congestion and prevent crowding.
The Seoul Station demonstration network will be built by combining LG Electronics’ software-based base stations (O-DU) and wireless devices (O-RU) from three different manufacturers. This multimodal open-RAN environment, which combines equipment from various manufacturers, will be the first case not only in Korea but also globally.
At Gimpo Airport, a demonstration network using AI technology and open-RAN will be established. It is applied to airport security zones where real-time monitoring is required to detect access to restricted areas and respond immediately. At the same time, AI-RAN technology, which processes both communication and artificial intelligence functions simultaneously at the base station server, will be demonstrated to improve signal quality between the base station and cameras via AI algorithms, thereby verifying high-definition video transmission performance.
The Ministry of Science and ICT expects the AI-RAN market to grow from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $8.6 billion in 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 41%. The open-RAN market is also projected to expand from $2.4 billion in 2023 to $6.8 billion by 2028.
A ministry official stated, “By proactively verifying the effectiveness of AI base stations, we will lead the expansion to public and private sectors and lay the groundwork for dominating the intelligent network market in the 6th generation mobile communication era.”