South Korea launches AI-RAN project to advance industrial AI

The government of South Korea has selected two consortia led by SK Telecom and KT to develop and demonstrate what it calls Hyper AI Network Infrastructure

In sum – what to know:

Government-backed AI-RAN push – South Korea launched a $11.6 million project led by SK Telecom and KT to test AI-RAN and standalone 5G for industrial AI applications.

Physical AI focus – Initial trials will support AI-powered welding, painting and patrol robots, with humanoid robot demonstrations planned from 2027.

Commercialization goal – Authorities aim to validate ultra-low-latency AI networks and create a foundation for broader industrial deployment of physical AI technologies.

South Korea has launched a government-backed initiative aimed at testing how AI-RAN and standalone 5G networks can support industrial AI applications, positioning advanced connectivity as a key enabler of robotics and automation across manufacturing environments.

The country’s National Information Society Agency (NIA) has selected two consortia led by SK Telecom (SKT) and KT to develop and demonstrate what it calls Hyper AI Network Infrastructure. The project carries a total budget of KRW17.2 billion ($11.6 million) and will focus on validating physical AI and operational AI applications in industrial environments including shipyards and manufacturing facilities.

The initiative reflects growing interest in using advanced network infrastructure not only to optimize telecom operations but also to support AI-driven industrial systems that require ultra-low latency, high reliability, and large-capacity uplink performance.

Initial demonstrations will focus on AI-powered welding, painting and patrol robots. Beginning in 2027, the project is expected to expand to humanoid robot demonstrations. The trials will evaluate capabilities including recognition, judgment and control performance in complex industrial environments, as well as collaborative operations involving multiple robots.

The infrastructure will combine standalone 5G, AI-RAN and equipment from multiple vendors. SKT said suppliers involved include Samsung Networks, Nokia, Ericsson and HFR.

In a statement, NIA director Kim Hyung-chul said: “For physical AI to be safely and stably implemented in industrial settings, Hyper-AI networks that support ultra-low latency, high-reliability communication and large-capacity uplink are essential.”

“Through this project, we will verify the field applicability of next-generation AI network technologies such as AI-RAN, discover and spread physical AI service models optimised for industrial sites, and accelerate AX across the entire national industry,” he added.

Pascal Remy, principal analyst at Omdia, told RCR Wireless News that South Korea’s approach highlights AI-RAN’s potential beyond traditional network optimization. While similar initiatives could be replicated elsewhere, he said they are likely to be most relevant in countries with strong manufacturing sectors, advanced industrial automation capabilities and sovereign AI ambitions.

“There is probably a larger role for government agencies to play in industrial AI enablement than in pure network optimization projects, and that explains the role of the NIA as a coordinator,” Remy said.

He added that successful trials could help address both technical and commercial questions surrounding AI-RAN. “Stakeholders just want to be convinced, so the more successful pilots we see, the better for AI-RAN ecosystem development, and indeed, demonstrating the viability of the business case is probably even more important than demonstrating technical feasibility,” Remy added.