Bell and Ericsson announced Tuesday they have conducted a successful field test of AI-native link adaptation, making the Montreal-based telecom the first operator globally to do so, according to a joint press release.
A feature of Ericsson’s 5G Advanced portfolio, AI-native link adaptation technology uses real-time AI to dynamically adapt networks in response to changes in signal quality, interference and other factors, enhancing the user experience through increased throughput and spectral efficiency, according to the release. This next-generation technology is being developed at Ericsson’s Ottawa R&D site.
The in-field tests with Bell achieved up to 20 per cent higher downlink throughput, facilitating faster download speeds, and increased spectral efficiency by up to 10 per cent, improving network capacity and reliability of connections, the release said.
The companies say their collaboration marks a significant breakthrough in applying AI to improve the performance of radio access networks.
“At Ericsson, innovation is at the heart of everything we do,” said Per Narvinger, Ericsson executive vice president and head of business area networks, in a statement. “Using AI is a key part of our goal to enable high-performing programmable networks. By working with Bell to test this new AI-native link adaptation solution in real-world settings, we’re closer to delivering transformative 5G Advanced and future 6G experiences.”
Tania Leppert, chief technology officer at Ericsson Canada, said: “This is a great example of Canadian innovation and partnership at work; highlighting our deep expertise in radio technology and AI at our Ottawa R&D site, while partnering with a Canadian telecommunications leader.”
“We are proud to be the first operator globally to field test this groundbreaking technology with Ericsson,” said Mark McDonald, senior vice president of networks at Bell. “AI-native link adaptation has the potential to revolutionize how we manage network resources, delivering faster speeds and more reliable connections for Canadians.”
