LG Uplus is moving to develop network-based voice AI solutions and expand its global business with global telecoms equipment company Ericsson.

LG Uplus said on Monday it is pursuing strategic cooperation with Ericsson to advance AI-native network evolution.

The two companies will work on technology development and system integration to implement network-based voice AI, jointly push global business for voice AI solutions, design and implement AI-native network architecture, and conduct pre-verification for application in global cloud environments.

LG Uplus will combine its commercialisation experience and AI technology for its AI call agent ixi-O with Ericsson's global network technology capabilities. The companies plan to complete technical verification within the year and implement next-generation telecom services in which AI operates as a core element of communication networks.

Voice AI is a Zero UI-based interface that conveys a user's intent through voice alone. It is not dependent on a specific device or operating system and can naturally connect people and AI, the company said.

LG Uplus will combine AI with telecom networks to develop voice AI into a basic building block of the network. It will build an environment where AI functions can be connected and used naturally based on a high-quality voice network.

It also plans to offer services in which AI handles unnecessary calls and connects only important calls, or supports tasks needed during calls. It will also expand into agent services that connect various AI devices, including AI glasses and humanoid robots, on a single network.

In AI-native networks, it will support networks in recognising operating conditions on their own and optimising performance and energy use. It will also push automation for fault response and service quality management. LG Uplus aims to implement both a "Network for AI" and "AI for Network" to secure cases of network intelligence.

The cooperation was discussed when Bum-seok Hong (홍범식), CEO of LG Uplus, and other executives visited Ericsson's headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 14 local time. The companies plan to establish a mid-to-long-term cooperation system spanning from technical review to global commercialisation.

Hong said, "We will combine the voice AI service experience accumulated through ixi-O and Ericsson's global network technology capabilities to contribute to mid-to-long-term growth and innovation in customer experience."

Per Narvinger (퍼 나빈거), CEO-designate of Ericsson, said, "We will jointly discover new business opportunities with LG Uplus while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency."