South Korean researchers have developed an "intelligent 6G core" technology in which artificial intelligence (AI) learns and makes decisions on its own to control networks.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) said on Wednesday it has succeeded in developing an "intelligent service-programmable mobile core network" technology, which is drawing attention as a key infrastructure for the 6G era. The technology aims to realise an autonomous 6G core network that operates in real time according to service demands by having AI learn and control the network on its own.

Where existing 5G core networks operated with a relatively static session management structure, the newly developed technology uses AI-based prediction and control to optimise service-specific sessions, paths and quality of service (QoS) in real time. It also applies SRv6 (IPv6 Segment Routing) technology, allowing data transmission paths to be flexibly set to match service characteristics.

The researchers implemented an AI-embedded control and user-plane architecture (SBA extension type), an intelligent automation and reliability verification module, and AI application service learning and inference optimisation technology. ETRI explained that this secured core technologies for an autonomous 6G core in which the network learns on its own and recommends and applies policies.

Performance verification showed session processing efficiency improved 40 percent compared with an existing GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol)-based structure that transmits data through fixed channels. Differentiated path configuration by service and precise QoS control also became possible. It also achieved end-to-end AI automation at Level 3, controlling sessions and traffic without operator intervention, by applying an AI reinforcement learning-based policy recommendation function.

The research was conducted jointly with SK Telecom, LG Uplus and Snet ICT, among others, as part of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) "6G core technology development project".

Tae-sik Jeong (정태식), head of ETRI's Network Research Division, stressed: "This research is an important milestone showing that 6G core networks have evolved beyond a simple data-processing structure into an intelligent platform in which AI makes decisions and controls on its own."